Dwyer hoping to revive fond Magic Millions memories

By Glenn Davis

Group 1 champion Regimental Gal catapulted a little-known trainer Shaun Dwyer into the national spotlight more than two decades ago.

Now Dwyer hopes to revive those memories when he saddles Dragonne Rouge in the $3 million Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Regimental Gal was a $16,500 buy at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales and went on to earn more than $1.61 million in prizemoney with seven wins from 17 starts.

Included in those victories were the Magic Millions Classic in 2003, the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington and Group 1 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley in 2004.

Named after a French champagne, Dragonne Rouge is a $51 outsider to give the 67-year-old Dwyer another Magic Millions day celebration.

Dwyer believes he’ll never have another Regimental Gal in his stable, but Dragonne Rouge could be his next best.

“She’s a very good filly and I can’t see why she can’t go on to better things in black-type races,” he said.

The Mackay-born Dwyer spent 13 years in Victoria after riding the wave of a lifetime off Regimental Gal’s fortunes before returning to Queensland three years ago.

A daughter of Dracarys, Dragonne Rouge was a $50,000 buy at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales and has already returned her owners more than $271,000 in prizemoney.

Dragonne Rouge will be ridden by Michael Rodd who was aboard Regimental Gal in most of her victories apart from both her Group 1 wins when jockey Steven King replaced the suspended Queenslander.

Dwyer believes Dragonne Rouge is primed to run the race of her short career following her first-up eighth to the Chris and Corey Munce-trained Lonhro’s Queen in the Listed Nudgee Stakes at Eagle Farm on January 3.

“We drew the outside in the Nudgee and ended up on the fence which was the worst part of the track,” Dwyer said.

“She was second 50 metres past the post.

”I had her blood taken last Friday and she’s spot on.”

In her first campaign, she won three of her four starts including the Listed Calaway Gal at Eagle Farm in April of last year before being turned out after finishing fifth in the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in May.

“I didn’t think back then that she was as good as she is,” Dwyer said.

“I never thought she would go from winning her maiden at a Sunshine Coast meeting to winning a Listed race at just her third start.

“Magic Millions races are always hard to win but I can’t see why should won’t be very competitive as she’s been working extremely well and has drawn well in six.”

Dwyer will be hoping a weather forecast for rain late in the week eventuates.

“She loves the wet so that won’t bother her if it comes,” he said.