Heroic Son to lead state's stallion resurgence

By Glenn Davis

Queensland’s stallion resurgence will receive another boost if talented youngster Heroic Son goes on to win the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Saturday week.

Heroic Son will test his Magic Millions Classic credentials when he lines up for his fourth race start in the Aquis Gold Nugget over 1100 metres at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Heroic Son is a son of New Zealand-bred Group 1 winner Heroic Valour and was bought by father and son training partnership of Peter and Will Hulbert for $50,000 at the Magic Millions sales in January last year.

After retiring with four wins and 10 placings from 16 starts and with more than $300,000 in prize money, Heroic Valour now stands at Warwick’s famous Raheen Stud on Queensland’s Darling Downs.

Queensland’s stallion roster has greatly improved in recent times courtesy of Spirit Of Boom, Better Than Ready and the late Spill The Beans.

Heroic Son qualified for the Magic Millions Classic with $60,250 in prize money following his debut win at Doomben in October and two subsequent placings at Doomben and the Sunshine Coast.

“We took him to Caloundra just to top up his prize money to get into the Magic Millions,” said Peter Hulbert.

Heroic Son was set to run in last month’s Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm but was a race morning scratching.

“He was going to run in the Bruce McLachlan but we took him for a swim on race morning and found he had a slight discharge out of one of his nostrils,” Hulbert said.

“He’s fine now and is bucking his brand off.

“He worked brilliantly with a mate on Tuesday morning so the month between runs shouldn’t bother him.”

Heroic Son has drawn ideally in barrier two and will be ridden by stable apprentice Adin Thompson.

“We’ve drawn perfectly for the 1100 metres around the Gold Coast so It’ll be a good guide for his chances in the Magic Millions,” Hulbert said.

“The alley will take him a long way in this race.”

Team Hulbert only has a small stable of seven horses in work and are hopeful Heroic Son will acquit himself well.

“Hopefully he’ll do well in the Magic Millions and it’ll be a boost for the local breeding industry,” Hulbert said.

Team Hulbert finished fifth with Oh Five Glory in the 2019 Magic Millions Classic won by the Godolphin-trained Exhilarates.