By Darren Cartwright
A $1.9 million Magic Millions purchase that never made it to the track and a beaten Victoria Derby favourite are now Ekka Thoroughbred champions and poster ‘boys’ for post-racing Off-The-Track careers.
Supercharge, who is by accomplished sprinter I Am Invincible and a half-brother to champion sprinter Home Affairs, and Thinkin’ Big took home a swag of sashes, titles and cheques for their handlers.
Supercharge never raced despite being highly sought after at the Gold Coast Magic Million sales in 2018, but on Monday, he was Ekka’s Supreme Champion Thoroughbred (sponsored by Racing Queensland).
Supercharge may never have raced but he's a Champion show horse after claiming the top Throughbred prize at Ekka
The six-year-old was also Champion Thoroughbred Stallion and won Stallion, 6YO and over class.
Handler Leanne Jones said Supercharge was going to race with father-son Sydney-based trainers Peter and Paul Snowden but injuries and illness curtailed his track career.
“He was sold at the Magic Millions for $1.9 million and he was brought back to Sydney and was going to race for the Snowden's but through injury and illness he never made it to the track,” Leanne said.
“He is now show champion and James Heron Bloodstock are going to be very happy.”
Racing Queensland's CEO Brendan Parnell and Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy present Amy Taylor, Thinkin' Big Best Presented Handler /Horse
It was third time lucky for Supercharge who was Reserve Champion Thoroughbred at both Canberra and Sydney Royal Easter Show before winning the blue ribbon at Ekka. Mare Deau Chevaux was the Reserve Champion.
“He was in for Supreme at the Sydney Royal, but he did not hold it together. He was set for this. I had aimed him for this last year but it got cancelled,” Leanne said.
Former jockey Amy Taylor scooped a number of titles with Thinkin’ Big who started favourite in the 2018 Victoria Derby at Flemington where he finished 12th.
Thinkin’ Big, who was trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was also a $61 chance for the 2018 Melbourne Cup after winning four races in six starts including the Group 3 Norman Robinson at Caulfield over 2000m.
He was bought by Hong Kong interests for a reported $2 million but sustained an injury after two starts and was returned to Australia with Amy to rehome him.
She said he was in prime condition for his first competition.
“He’s not an easy horse, and he’s been quite a handful, but you just have to take your time,” Amy said.
“He’s a classic example that if you give them the time they come good.”
Not only did Thinkin’ Big win Gelding 3YO and over, and Champion Thoroughbred Gelding, but as a team, Amy and the seven-year-old son of High Chaparral gelding won Best Presented Horse and Handler.
Also among the sash winners was Toowoomba trainer Maddy Sears’, who teamed with her mother Leigh, to enter Illiciate Affairs which won Best Thoroughbred in Training.
They also won 3YO Filly class with Montana Lady which only won a Toowoomba Maiden two starts ago in July.
Also supporting the Ekka was Cathy Munce (pictured), wife of prominent trainer Chris Munce, who presented the well-known and recently retired gelding Boomsara who won the $2m 3YO Magic Million Guineas.
EKKA CHAMPIONS
Champion Thoroughbred Stallion
Supercharge (winner) / Leanne Jones (handler)
Champion Thoroughbred Mare
Deaux Chevaux / Leanne Hartwig
Supreme Champion
Supercharge / Leanne Jones
Toowoomba trainer Maddy Sears had success at the Ekka with Montana Lady and Illiciate Affairs.
CLASSES
Mare, 4YO and Over
Deaux Chevaux / Leanne Hartwig
Mare, Led Hack Type, Any Age
Pop A Top / Madison McGill
Gelding 3YO and over
Thinkin’ Big / Amy Taylor
Stallion 6YO and Over
Supercharge / Leanne Jones
Open Mare, 4YO and over
Illiciate Affairs / Leigh and Maddy Sears
Filly, 3YO
Montana Lady / Leigh and Maddy Sears
Gelding, Any Age
Freemium / C Porter and S Baldwin
Best Presented Horse and Handler
Thinkin’ Big / Amy Taylor
Champion Thoroughbred Gelding
Thinkin’ Big / Amy Taylor
Best Thoroughbred Racehorse in Training
Illiciate Affairs / Leigh and Maddy Sears
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