Mishani Royale did the right thing by the sponsor and dented the ambitions of a few Magic Millions aspirants when turning back the interstate challenge in Saturday's Aquis Gold Pearl (1100m) for two-year-old fillies at the Gold Coast.
Not entered for next week's Magic Millions 2yo Classic, the Les Ross-trained daughter of Kobayashi kept up a relentless gallop under Ben Thompson. She defeated the Better Than Ready filly Trifling by one and three-quarter lengths with the Exceed And Excel filly Excel D'Or a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
A homebred for the Mike Crooks-owned Mishani Enterprises, Mishani Royale finished second on debut over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on November 27 before breaking her maiden over the same course and distance on December 16.
Les Ross took the heat for not nominating Mishani Royale for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.
"The owner had 33 (horses), and he said, 'you decide which ones will get to the Millions'. This was one we left out, but anyway it is nice to win a race," he said.
"We were quietly confident, and Benny said to me that they ran a quick time in the last race, but I said that I think she goes a little bit better than Mishani Maverick (sixth in the Gold Nugget).
"She's a nice filly, and hopefully, we can find a QTIS race somewhere."
Thompson was philosophical about the filly not being nominated for the Millions but noted they ran quicker time than the colts.
"She felt as good as it would have looked. I was really, really impressed by her two runs - today and at the Sunshine Coast," Thompson said.
"Today was a notable step up. Nothing against the colts and geldings division of the two-year-olds today, but I felt the fillies had more exposed form there, so she had her work cut out for her, but I really like the breed.
"He’s an emerging sire, Kobayashi. He’s a son of an I Am Invincible, and he was very fast in his own right, and it is good to see him sending nice two-year-olds off to the track, so she’s another one for him.
“It’s a shame (not being nominated for the Millions), but it is all well and good. It is another step up for her.”
Mishani Royale is the second foal, and first runner for the talented Your Song mare Girl In A Million, a 5-time winning daughter of the stakes winner and multiple Group placed Calming (Zeditave).
Girl In A Million has a yearling filly by Sidestep and foaled a sister to Mishani Royale on November 13.
Mishani Royale comes from the second crop of Aquis Farms I Am Invincible stallion Kobayashi who stood at a fee of $8,800 in 2021.
