Turk delivers best to win Magic Millions Classic

Turk Warrior takes out Tasmanian Magic Millions 3 & 4YO Classic

TURK WARRIOR.
TURK WARRIOR. Picture: Tasracing.com.au

Former star juvenile galloper Turk Warrior returned to his brilliant best to take out the Tasmanian Magic Millions 3 & 4YO Classic over 1400m in Launceston on Sunday to take his career earnings to beyond $600,000.

The Glenn Stevenson-trained four-year-old dominated in his two-year-old season winning six times to easily earn the title of Tasmania's best two-year-old and last season he excelled up to 1400m before having his colours lowered when he stepped out in distance.

On Sunday Turk Warrior ($1.55 fav) always looked to be travelling in his comfort zone with rider Ismail Toker content to allow him to trail the leader Warica ($26) with mare Emily ($2.60) settled last in the field of five.

When Emily was set alight by rider Anthony Darmanin she quickly loomed as the winner but when Toker gave his charge a click, he sprinted to the lead and try as she might,Barry Campbell's mare was unable to haul him in.

Turk Warrior went on to win by almost tree lengths from Emily with Alpine Affair a close third.

"This is the race we set him for and winning the Carpet Charge ($109,000) sprint on Devonport Cup day was a bonus," Stevenson said.

"There is nothing else for him here in Tassie so we could give him a freshen-up and then look at taking him to Melbourne."

Toker was ecstatic and believes the Outreach gelding could progress to races over 1600m or beyond next preparation.

"This horse is still learning his craft and today he settled really well off the speed and when I asked him to sprint, he was electric," Toker said.

"He feels like he is looking for more ground, so as he matures, I have no doubt he will run a strong 1600m or further."

Turk Warrior is owned and raced by Seyit Basol who received a phone call 15 minutes before the race from his daughter in Queensland who gave him the news that he had just become a grandfather for the first time to a healthy boy.

"Winning this race is fantastic and one that I really wanted to win and to get the news that I am a grandfather for the first time just before the race was run made the win even better and I dedicate it to my new grandson," Basol said.

The prominent owner spent Monday at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale with an intent to invest some of the prizemoney he won from Turk Warrior's recent wins.

Magic Millions 2YO

Victorian trainer Danny O'Brien took a punt on sending his well-bred two-year-old Sassy Boom to Tasmania for her second race start and he was rewarded when the filly scored an effortless win in the 2YO Tasmanian Magic Millions Classic over 1200m.

Sassy Boom had only one start in Victoria for a disappointing near last in a $225,000 Magic Millions Classic at Ballarat in November last year.

Despite the poor showing, O'Brien reset her training program and believed she had improved enough to warrant sending her to Tasmania.

O'Brien was unable to make the trip but stable hand Lachlan Currie said the filly had lived up to her trainer's expectations.

"When Danny (O'Brien) was looking for a suitable race he opted for the Tasmanian race and the only query was whether she would handle the trip," Currie said.

"She travelled really well and she presented brilliantly in the mounting yard and then it was up to the rider (Liam Riordan) to finish the job off and he rode an absolute treat."

Riordan was delighted with the result.

"It isn't easy for two-year-olds to travel to a different state and tackle a big race, but she seemed to handle it really well," Riordan said.

"I was confident she would win when we hit the home straight because she had travelled well and conserved her energy and when I hit the go-button she responded, and I was very pleased with how she finished off."


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