Kinshachi wins Magic Millions start

A wild-card entry to Australia’s richest program of racing was the reward for her victory in the Listed Nudgee Quality at Eagle Farm in Brisbane on Saturday, December 31.

Kinshachi (John O’Shea/Jeff Lloyd) had the benefit of age and experience over most of her rivals, but she also had a wide gate and the likes of dual G1 winner Global Glamour to contend with in a race that earned her a valuable black-type credit.

In her nine starts before her latest run, Kinshachi had won four and been placed five times.

With that record, a polished ride by Jeff Lloyd and her own indomitable will-to-win, the daughter of Commands defied all attempts to run her down, going to the line three-quarters-of-a-length clear of Sold For Song.

“It was a great effort by the mare and a superb ride,” said assistant trainer Darren Beadman.

“She puts herself there and makes her own luck, she deserved every bit of that win.”

As well as the valuable black type that came with the victory, Kinshachi earned herself a start at Australia’s most exclusive race meeting.

The Magic Millions race day run at Queensland’s Gold Coast on January 14 offers A$10-million in prizemoney and is generally only open to horses sold at Magic Millions sales around Australia.

Kinshachi was bred by Darley in Australia and not offered for sale, so she would normally be ineligible to run. But for the first time a number of “wild card” entries were made available and she took one that gained her entry into the A$1-million MM Fillies and Mares.

And according to Lloyd, who is far-and-above Queensland’s leading rider, she will be a major contender.

“We decided to be very positive today from the wide gate and it paid off,” Lloyd said.

“She’s an experienced filly but she still ran around a bit, so I think she’ll be even better for today’s run.”

Kinshachi’s win followed the encouraging performance of the two-year-old Coorg who finished third in the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes.

After drifting back from his inside gate, Coorg finished off well behind the winner Ours To Keep, to record his second placing from his only two starts.