Press Statement filly Newsreader picked the richest maiden on the calendar to open her winning account at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Sydneysider had been specifically set for the $250,000 the Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) and she accomplished that mission with a brilliant turn of foot for Brenton Avdulla. She hit the line a hard-held, two length winner from Lady Of Luxury (Criterion) and Hey Big Splenda (Rich Enuff).
Newsreader (3f Press Statement – Thinking Of You by Thorn Park) settled three wide with cover before launching the furlong pole. “Brenton got into a beautiful position and she was never going to get beaten from there,” trainer John O’Shea said. “She’s a very fit filly and, once in the clear, she pinned her ears back and raced away.
“She finished fourth in a Listed race at Randwick and we gave her a couple of trials before coming up. She can be a bit jittery but was well behaved behind the gates and down in the stalls so that gave us a bit of confidence.
“It’s been a fantastic week, it’s just a really good time of the year to be here,” O’Shea added. “I’ve bought some beautiful horses and we’ve got some really excited clients.”
Champion Thoroughbreds purchased Newsreader for $170,000 from Yarraman Park at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale. “She was correct with a strong hindquarter and a good walk,” Yarraman studmaster Harry Mitchell recalled. “Not huge but built in a similar mould to Hinchinbrook.”
Press Statement is a son of Hinchinbrook who had died an all-too-young 10 year-old at Yarraman Park in July 2018.
Newsreader was bred by Ron & Rod Dufficy in partnership with Robert DeCourcy and is the 20th individual winner from Press Statement’s first crop at Vinery. Her dam was Group 1 placed in a Flight Stakes behind First Seal and Winx!
Press Statement has two fillies and a colt catalogued for Book 2 of the Magic Millions Sale on Monday and there’s another 9 Press Statement yearlings entered for the Inglis Classic Sale commencing on Sunday, February 7.
The first Press Statement from Vinery (as agent) at Riverside Stables is Lot 5, the full-sister to last year’s Randwick juvenile winner Giovanna Run.
![](https://thoroughbredexpress.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Newsreader-wins-250000-Magic-Millions-Maiden-Plate-1024x683.jpg)
NEWSREADER