Gundy Son brings his best work to the Millions

The Magic Millions wins continued to go the way of Queenslanders when Gundy Son produced the goods in the $100,000 Sky Racing Magic Millions

Class 6 Plate 1200m for trainer Robert Heathcote.

He’s been a consistent horse for his group of 10 owners which includes several from Goondiwindi, hence the horse’s name.

The Falvelon four-year-gelding is out of Dantibes’ Treasure and was originally purchased for $26,000 at the 2007 March Millions sales.

He was originally at Shaun Dwyer’s stables when he was at Deagon prior to entering Robert Heathcote’s Hendra lodgings before he had raced.

Heathcote admits it hasn’t always been smooth sailing with Gundy Son, although he has posted consistent results with six wins, three seconds and two thirds from 16 starts.

“He was a bugger when he came to me,” he said. “He’s had to learn to be a racehorse. He used to pull like a train and even piss off on jockeys on race days. He’s done that more than once.

“He’s a bit of a challenge as a track worker. My staff member, Steven Wright, who rides him at track work has such an affinity with the horse and I take my hat off to him. He has done a great job with the horse and takes a lot of

pride in what he does with him and great pleasure in seeing his successful.

Danny Nikolic rode a well-judged ride to ensure they passed the finish post first.

“It was a lovely ride,” said Heathcote. “There was plenty of speed on, they got a nice trail and Danny pulled him out at the right time and did everything right.”

The Sixties ridden by Jason Holder placed second to the $2.30 favourite by a length and a half. Holder rode for the small stable of Tracey Green who trains out of Doomben.

“I thought he was gone, but he just found another gear, but the winner was too strong” said Holder who held out Elmsford (Blake Shinn) by two and half lengths into 3^rd place.

For Heathcote though the joy came with Gundy Son showing some of the potential he knows he always had.

“Winning any Saturday Metro race is always good and Magic Millions day just makes it a little bit special,” he said.

“He’s been a little bit unlucky the horse. He’s come here today, been heavily backed and it’s only his second Saturday win but with a bit of luck, he could have won his last four so its very satisfying to actually

 have the plan come to fruition.

“He’s a nice horse. The penny still hasn’t fully dropped with him yet so when it does I think he can win a really nice race.” We will certainly plan to have him back at the Millions Carnival again next year.

With $171,650 in prize money and bonuses now to his name Gundy Son will spell in preparation for a tilt at the Winter Carnival.

Stepping up in distance is also a plausible option for the consistent runner.

QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – January 9