The
$100,000 Magic Millions 3YO and 4YO Stakes (1200m) at Wyong on Wednesday looked
an easy assignment on paper for red hot favourite Invincible Star, but punters
were left lamenting when she waved the white flag after turning for home with
talented Hinchinbrook mare Problem Solver scoring a stylish win.
Trained by Gerald Ryan, Problem Solver (images Steve Hart) was fit and ready to fire at her third run
back from a spell and quickly surged past the tiring Invincible Star before
holding off a late bid from quality Snitzel colt Bondi who worked home well for
second.
She won by a length and a quarter with Josh Parr in the saddle.
"We thought she would run to her best today, but realistically thought we were
looking at running second," said stable representative Blake Ryan.
"The favourite had an off day and she ran really well, she had improved a lot on
her last run.
"We'll be off to the Gold Coast with her again now. She won the maiden up there
last year and this time we'll look at the Filly and Mare races."
A $160,000 Magic Millions purchase for her trainer from the Yarraman Park draft,
Problem Solver runs for David Raphael's Stallion Racing Australia and has won
two races and placed seven times from 11 starts earning just shy of $300,000.
Bred by Kate Nivison's Etak Thoroughbreds, Problem Solver was a successful
pinhook having been bought first as a weanling from the Inglis Great Southern
Sale for $54,000 by Wattle Grove Thoroughbreds from the Shadwell Farm draft.
She is the best of four winners from Group III placed Justice Prevails mare Sweet
Revenge.
Hinchinbrook has strong representation at the 2019 Magic Millions with 26
entries.