Bougoure hopes Voodoo Lass can revive old memories

By Glenn Davis

It’s been more than two decades since trainer Danny Bougoure was under the national spotlight following the deeds of his former champion Falvelon.

Falvelon put Bougoure’s name up in lights with 15 wins in 37 starts which resulted in almost $4 million in prizemoney including back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 2001 and 2002.

A four-time Queensland Horse Of The Year and dual Australian Champion Sprinter, Falvelon also conquered the best sprinters in the world by twice winning the prestigious Hong Kong International Sprint at Sha Tin in 2000 and 2001.

Bougoure also trained Group 1 winner Scenic Peak who won the Emirates Stakes at Flemington in 2002.

Now Bougoure hopes the light will shine bright again with his talented filly Voodoo Lass who needs to collect more prizemoney to secure a Magic Millions Guineas berth.

Voodoo Lass is Magic Millions Guineas bound on her home track at the Gold Coast and will have her final dress rehearsal for the $3 million feature in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

A daughter of Dirty Work, Voodoo Lass was a $46,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales and has started nine times for three wins and as many placings.

She is currently a $31 outsider for the Vo Rogue Plate over 1300 metres and needs a few dropouts to secure a spot in the Magic Millions Guineas.

While she may be a roughie for the Vo Rogue, Bougoure was pleased with her first-up sixth to the Paul Shailer-trained Mister Bianco in a 1200 metre Class 5 Handicap at the Gold Coast on December 19.

“Her first-up run was quite good when she was beaten just over two lengths,” Bougoure said.

“Most of her first-up runs have been in maiden grade and to be beaten only two lengths was a good effort.

“She’s in the Magic Millions Guineas so this will be her last run before then.”

Bougoure has booked Jake Bayliss to partner Voodoo Lass who strung together a picket fence of wins last campaign. 

They were at Ipswich in August, Gold Coast in September and Eagle Farm in October.

“She’s a very nice filly with a great temperament,” Bougoure said.

“I don’t think we’ll see the best of her until she gets up to 1600 metres, probably during the winter carnival.

“But, she’ll run well in the Vo Rogue and they’ll know she’s there.

“She’s looking for 1400 to 1600 metres now so hopefully she’ll be hitting the line strongly and this race should set her up nicely for the Magic Millions Guineas.”

Bougoure’s only previous Magic Millions Guineas starter was Indiscreetly who tailed the field in the 2022 edition, which was won by the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King Of Sparta.