After favorite Hi Barbie had a terrible start, the astute gamblers were right on the money when they jumped on Dragonne Rouge to win the $200,000 Calaway Gal Stakes for two-year-old fillies at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Hi Barbie was short at $2.40, while the Shaun Dwyer-trained filly, who was paying upwards of $7.50 earlier this week, jumped at $3.30 to win the Listed race over 1200m on a Soft 7 track. The Paul Shailer-trained Ha’penny Hatch ($6) was worn down by Andrew Mallyon, who left his run late. Sweet Pretender ($12) came in third. Tony Gollan, the top trainer in Brisbane, had selected the $1.2 million filly Hi Barbie as his favorite on Saturday, but she missed the kick severely, so it was a disaster with Angela Jones riding.
If Hi Barbie had won her first race since her daring sixth place finish in the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January, it would have been an emotional triumph. Hello, Barbie is owned by Jennifer Acton, who lost her husband, cattle baron Alan, almost two years ago in a sad helicopter accident. Dwyer stated that Dragonne Rouge, who is now unbeaten after three races, was still in the running for the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) on June 14 at Eagle Farm. It’s a long way off, you see. Dwyer, who turned 67 last Monday, stated, “I think she’ll get away with one run in between then.” “Let’s wait and see how she shows up. I’m eager to try anything that could help. She has an excellent 18 months of racing in her and I’m mindful of some good three-year-old races next year too.“We’ve got the Magic Millions (3YO Guineas) and next year’s three-year-old races.
“Despite being a large filly, she is light and doesn’t harm herself.” With another race under her belt, she might make it to the mile race (JJ Atkins). She truly is a racehorse. Dwyer wants to win his first Group 1 since the Sunshine Coast trainer won the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and the Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in 2004. After the race, owner Brad McMahon was ecstatic and made a joke about wanting to bring the tough filly to Grafton, his hometown. It was unthinkable. “She has received excellent training,” McMahon remarked. “She’s in good shape, and Shaun exuded confidence.” For a $25,000 horse, she’s amazing. The two-year-old race down there is still something I want to take her to. Three-year-old Magic Millions (Guineas on the Gold Coast in January) is still the one, that’s the goal.”
