Henrich Unveils Magic Millions Hope

Saturday, 05 November 2011 03:16

Trainer Gillian Heinrich may have unearthed her second Magic Millions Classic winner following the brilliant debut win from Pure Whisper at Doomben.

Pure Whisper showed brilliant speed to share the lead in the early stages before kicking on strongly to down Gibberer by a long neck in Saturday's Maxgaming Handicap (1010m).

Optionality was only a nose away third.

Heinrich won the 2010 Magic Millions Classic with Military Rose but was not prepared tocompare Pure Whisper with her at this stage.

Pure Whisper was bought by Heinrich's husband Hoss for $170,000 at the Magic Millions sales and is guaranteed a Magic Millions start at the Gold Coast after collecting $32,000 in prize money.

Pure Whisper is a son of first season sire Purrealist, a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Racing To Win.

Purrealist had 85 live foals in his first season at stud and recently produced a winner for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney.

Heinrich is undecided whether to follow a similar path to the Magic Millions Classic on January 14 as Military Rose or give Pure Whisper a short break.

"He's a big horse and he's showed speed from day one," Heinrich said.

"I hadn't barrier trialled him but I gave him a jumpout and he led.

"He's a lovely horse but I can't compare him yet to Military Rose until he has another start."

Military Rose won her debut at Eagle Farm in October 2009, then was successful in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm and Listed Bruce McLachlan at Doomben the following month before her Magic Millions victory.

"I'll think about it for a day or two," Heinrich said.

"I could find another run for him shortly or because he's so big it might be best to rest him."

Winning jockey Damian Browne became an instant fan of Pure Whisper.

"All of Gillian's know what to do," Browne said.

"He's a lovely traveller and on the corner he half-waited for the others to catch him.

"There's a lot of improvement to come from him yet."