Classic result for Waikato Stud

Waikato Stud’s spirits were boosted ahead of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale series when home-breds Aegon and Amarelinha providing a top-quality quinella this evening in the Magic Millions 3YO Classic at Ellerslie.

It was the unbeaten Aegon who claimed top honours, but the Savabeel filly was gallant in defeat and the G2 Eight Carat Classic winner lost no admirers.

Aegon hadn’t been sighted since he won the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November, but trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman were more than happy with the Sacred Falls gelding’s condition.

“We’ve been very patient with this horse, and the staff at home have done a great job with him. It’s also a big achievement for my training partner Andrew, who selected him at the yearling sales,” Baker said.

“He’d never been tried right-handed before, but he was given a great ride from Leith Innes today and he’s delivered on a big stage.”

Aegon is raced by Forman with the Zame Partnership with the former making the Karaka purchase for $150,000.

“He had a good way about him and moved well. He’s a neat, well put together horse,” he recalled.

Aegon is a son of the Zabeel mare Toss Up, whose four foals to race have all been successful, and she is out of a half-sister to the G1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S. winner Good Faith.

The family also includes Waikato Stud’s three-time Group 1 winner Daffodil and the G2 Sweet Embrace S. winner Believe Yourself.

Aegon was settled midfield on the fence by regular jockey Leith Innes and he was able to weave a clear path in the straight to account for Amarelinha.

“It’s a great event, and there’s nothing better than winning one of the million-dollar races on a horse like this,” Innes said. “He’s very special.

“The turn of foot he showed in the straight was incredible, and when the filly came up beside him, he really fought in those last 50 metres.”