A centimetre-perfect ride from jockey Jason Collett delivered a thrilling last-stride victory for Heavenly Impact in the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The three-year-old son of Harry Angel shrugged off his maiden status in spectacular fashion, a year after finishing second in the $500,000 Magic Millions Debut (900m) on the same raceday. Starting from barrier two, Collett’s patience and precision proved decisive, steering the gelding through a narrow gap in the final 300m to edge out King of Dragons on the line.
Trainer Marcus Wilson, who operates a small local stable, was overjoyed by the result. Having purchased Heavenly Impact for just $30,000 from the Fernrigg Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale (Book 2), the win felt particularly rewarding.
Wilson described Heavenly Impact as a “quirky horse” who has tested his patience throughout the training process.
“I’ve been pulling my hair out with this horse,” Wilson admitted after the race. “He’s been very tricky to get into the barriers, and he’s one of those horses that makes me nervous on raceday.
“But it’s good to see him get the job done. He’s a big horse who’s just needed time. We turned him out after the Oxlade Stakes in June, gelded him, and that’s probably been the making of him. Cutting him – it’s the ultimate gear change.”
Despite the gelding’s lack of early speed, Wilson was confident Heavenly Impact could improve over longer distances in the future.
“I think you’ll see a better horse over seven furlongs. This was our grand final – being a local, it means so much to win here. We don’t have the big chequebooks like some of the big blokes. We just chip away, and he only cost $30,000 a couple of years ago.”
Story Courtesy of GCMag – full and complete article HERE