In this piece, Racelab’s Matt Collum steps back and takes a forensic look at the five standout performances in the Magic Millions Classic since the Racelab database commenced, using Rating By Margin (RBM) ratings and race context to cut through reputation and focus on just how high the bar was set. These are the performances with the best combined margin, opposition, tempo and sustained speed under pressure.
To learn more about Racelab, please click here.
1: Storm Boy 2C | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus 57.0kg
RBM 94.9, 1st 2.5L, 13/1/2024
Backed as a warm favourite, the son of Justify recovered from a tardy beginning to sit outside the leader in a fast pace before asserting his authority in the straight. Ridden perfectly by Adam Hyeronimus, he surged clear to score convincingly by 2½ lengths over Highness, with Spywire finishing further back in third. His win rated highly with a good margin spread, strong tempo and quick sectional times.
2: Unencumbered 2C | Bjorn Baker | Nathan Berry 57.0kg
RBM 93.7, 1st 0.8L, 11/1/2014
Unencumbered was a strong favourite in the 2014 Magic Millions. Settling just behind the early leaders under jockey Nathan Berry, the Testa Rossa colt cruised to the front in the straight and held off Oakleigh Girl to win by around 3/4 of a length, with Ruby Soho a couple of lengths further back in third.
3: Capitalist 2C | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn 57.0kg
RBM 93.1, 1st 2.5L, 9/1/2016
Heavily backed as the shortest favourite the race had seen ($1.40 SP), the Written Tycoon colt showed his class from the outset, settling forward before Blake Shinn let him stride in the straight, powering clear to a 2½-length victory over Nikitas and Candika.
4: Shaquero 2C | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman 57.0kg
RBM 92.6, 1st 1.25L, 16/1/2021
Well positioned from gate one, the Shalaa colt tracked the speed before showing a sharp turn of foot in the straight, asserting late to defeat Alpine Edge by 1¼ lengths, with She’s All Class filling third.
5: Le Chef 2G | Darryl Hansen | Luke Tarrant
RBM 92.1, 1st 0.8L, 10/1/2015
Jumping cleanly from barrier three, the Exceed and Excel gelding settled handy under apprentice Luke Tarrant before showing real determination in the straight, fighting off late challengers to score a gutsy three-quarter-length victory over Pepperano, with Single Gaze third.
All other winners:
Legend:
| Name | Definition |
| RBM | (Rating By Margin) Racelab performance rating using a combination of metrics: Benchmark, Weight Carried, Mean Weight and Distance. |
