Smart Tasmanian filly Tempest Tost earned a trip to Queensland for the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy when she ploughed through the heavy conditions to win at Flemington.The Statue Of Liberty three-year-old made it three wins and a second from five starts with a gutsy win over the previously unbeaten La Bella Roo in the Qenos Hcp (1000m) on Saturday."My biggest concern was she might have got to the front too soon with the 58kg on the heavy track, but she was just waiting for them and waiting f
Smart Tasmanian filly Tempest Tost earned a trip to Queensland for the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy when she ploughed through the heavy conditions to win at Flemington.
The Statue Of Liberty three-year-old made it three wins and a second from five starts with a gutsy win over the previously unbeaten La Bella Roo in the Qenos Hcp (1000m) on Saturday.
"My biggest concern was she might have got to the front too soon with the 58kg on the heavy track, but she was just waiting for them and waiting for them. She's a tough girl," Brighton trainer Gary White said.
White had the grey flown over from Hobart on Friday at a cost of $4,400 to owner Geoff Harper who is the chairman of the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council.
A half-sister to 1997 Group One Salinger Stakes winner Notoire, dual Sydney stakeswinner Well Known and stakes-placed Tullamarine, Tempest Tost was bought at the Adelaide Millions Yearling Sale for $72,500.
Ridden by Darren Gauci, who also won on the filly over 1000m at Caulfield in August, Tempest Tost ($4.60) led all the way to score by three-quarters of a length from La Bella Roo ($4.40 fav) with Our Lona ($9) 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Tempest Tost hadn't raced since jarring a knee cartilage in her near-side front leg when sixth to Taameer in the Listed Arrow Training Services Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on August 23.
White has no qualms about Tempest Tost, who has now won twice on heavy tracks, getting back on to firm ground as he said she was adept in all conditions.
"All her riders have told me she's better on top of the ground," he said.
White said Tempest Tost's next outing would be over 1200m at Moonee Valley on December 27 before she goes to Queensland for the 3YO Magic Millions Trophy (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 10.
Meanwhile, Amerryking, who had surgery for a collapsed throat, returned to something like his best form with a solid second-up win in the Allbern Print & Design Sprint (1200m) after being placed over 1000m at Moonee Valley last month.
Trainer John McArdle, who has now had the King Of Roses gelding for five starts, said managing part-owner, veterinary surgeon Dr Rob McInnes, had found the problem after the gelding's third start for the Mornington trainer.
Amerryking was formerly prepared by John Hawkes and then Mathew Ellerton for the horses's breeder David Hains and has now won seven races from 26 starts.
"Today was the test to see if he could get past 1000 metres," McArdle said.
"He's back to the old Amerryking. He's confident now and he's happy to let go."
Ridden by Mark Pegus, Amerryking ($9) joined in out wide on the track and went on for a three-quarter length victory over Lord Monty ($3.10 fav) with El Mandon ($6) the same margin away third.
"Mark has done a good job with him. He's got him to settle and he's happy to relax," McArdle said.
McArdle is now looking forward to running Amerryking in the Group Three $200,000 Standish Hcp (1200m) at Flemington on January 1, a race in which he ran sixth to Publishing last year when with Ellerton.