KURRINDA BLOODSTOCK AFTER ANOTHER $3M QLD FEATURE

TWELVE months ago Hunter-based Kurrinda Bloodstock captured the inaugural $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) with Private Harry.

Now they’re chasing another $3m triumph, this time with smart youngster Shiki in Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.

The Too Darn Hot filly had virtually earned herself a start in the rich event when she collected $141,000 in winning the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) on debut at Royal Randwick last October.

But another winning performance in the Gold Pearl (1100m) against her own sex at the Gold Coast yesterday cemented her backing up this weekend.

“Shiki is a very good filly,” Kurrinda principal Sean Driver said today from the Gold Coast, where he is inspecting yearlings ahead of this week’s MM sale.

“She certainly deserves her place in the 2YO Classic field on Saturday.

“Obviously her chances will depend largely on how she draws.”

The barrier draw for both the 2YO Classic and MM 3YO Guineas (1400m) will be conducted at Broadbeach on Tuesday morning.

It was at last year’s Magic Millions sale that Driver approached co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott about purchasing Shiki in partnership.

“I liked the filly, and so did Gai and Adrian, and we were able to get her for $420,000, and then syndicate her,” he explained.

Driver poured cold water on a Sydney media pundit who branded Shiki a “speedy 1000m squib” after she was beaten on resumption (MM favorite Warwoven won the race) at Randwick at Randwick on December 20.

“There were excuses that day, and she showed yesterday by sitting off the pace and winning easily that she is definitely not a speedy squib,” he said.

“Tim Clark has ridden Shiki in all three starts, and is booked to stay with her on Saturday.”

Shiki’s return to winning form resulted in TAB.com.au shortening her odds to $7 joint second favorite with Brisbane youngster Zip Lock for her rematch with $2 favorite Warwoven on Saturday.

Meanwhile, leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup says he will have to “aim a bit higher” with Nashville Jack after the colt’s brilliant finish into second place in yesterday’s renewal of the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast.

Nashville Jack’s owner Mulberry Racing bought a slot in the Sunlight, and got rewarded when the three-year-old picked up $390,000 for finishing second at $71.

Widdup also finished fourth with Savvy Hallie ($7.50), and she earned $180,000.

“I knew the fast pace (winner and favorite Grafterburners clocked a brilliant 1:02.22 after Swordplay had scorched along in front) would suit Nashville Jack,” Widdup said today.

“Savvy Hallie’s run was good as well.

“They will both go back to our Hawkesbury stable, and we’ll look at what’s ahead in the coming months.

“I’m going to have to aim a bit higher with Nashville Jack as his benchmark rating will go up now.

“And Savvy Hallie will contest suitable races against her own sex.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 11, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS