Le Plunge led home a Magic Millions trifecta in the G3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday. The Tobougg filly led all the way for a two length victory over Impressive Jeuney (Jeune) and For Your Eyes Only (Bletchley Park).
“She’s been very consistent,” trainer Adam Durrant said. “This is the race we had set her for and now we can head for the WA Oaks.”
Le Plunge (3f Tobougg – Ski Lodge by Grand Lodge) was catalogued for the 2008 Perth Magic Millions by Anita Vale Stud but didn’t reach a $10,000 reserve. Perth QC Robert Anderson and his wife Anne kept the filly and she has now earned over $177,000.
The Perth couple purchased Ski Lodge for $18,000 carrying the Tobougg filly at the 2006 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale. The mare was a Kensington winner and she was also fourth home in the 2003 Adrian Knox Stakes (G3) won by Crianca. They sold a Bletchley Park half-brother to the Champion Fillies winner for $25,000 to Belmont Bloodstock at the 2010 Perth Magic Millions.
Ski Lodge wasn’t served in 2008 and was sent back east to be covered by Darley sire Henny Hughes last September. The Andersons have bred numerous stakes winners over the years at their Mardella property including the G1 stayer Scenic Shot.
Le Plunge is by former Darley shuttler Tobougg who was a G1 winner of the Dewhurst Stakes. A son of Barathea, his best southern galloper has been The Pooka who was a G1 winner of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.