Notching his eleventh victory in 18 starts, Turk Warrior has improved his value even more to connections – not just in a financial sense – after winning the Magic Millions 3yo/4yo Classic (1400m) at Launceston.
Rejecting million-dollar offers when a three-year-old, the now four-year-old who originally failed to reach the $30,000 asking price at the 2020 Tasmanian Magic Millions Sale, has delivered a moving ride for Turkish-born jockey Ismail Toker.
“We’re having a good time with him,” Toker said.
“I’ve got a really good connection with him and I love waking up and seeing him every morning.
“He’s changed my life a lot and I can’t explain it.
For trainerGlenn Stevenson, pinpointing this race as an easier task has paid off.
“He’s been good every run this prep and I thought we’d lead tonight but it ended up that we didn’t, and I’m pleased that he travelled well outside of another runner.
Though a break is now likely for Turk Warrior ($1.55 betr favourite), Stevenson is wary of challenging in Melbourne through the winter months given the likelihood of a ratings rise and competitive races possibly over 1600 metres.
In the $75,000 Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m), it was a worthwhile boat trip across the Bass Strait for the Danny O’Brien -trained Sassy Boom who impressed with a 3¼-length victory.
Finishing down the track in tenth placing on a Soft 6-rated track in the Ballarat Magic Millions feature version in November, a firmer surface proved more favourable for the filly by Spirit Of Boom and earned her all women ownership syndicate a $10,000 Magic Millions bonus.