Latest news with #MagicMillions
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
At Royal Ascot, an Australian designer continues her winning streak
Gambling at Royal Ascot in the UK takes place beyond the betting ring, with designers keeping a close watch on Princess Catherine and other members of the royal family as they set the tone for styles and sales in the coming months. 'When a member of the royal family wears your clothes, it has a direct impact on sales in the UK and beyond,' says Australian designer Rebecca Vallance. On day one of Royal Ascot, Vallance was a surprise winner when Zara Tindall wore a collared midi dress in pale blue, with a fitted empire bodice and contrasting lace from a recent collection. 'The great thing with the royal family is that they don't just wear the dresses once,' Vallance says. 'They wear them again and again.' Tindall first wore the suitably modest dress, paired this time with a pink hat from Sarah Cant millinery, at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in January. With Princess Catherine absent from Royal Ascot, Tindall was the focus for fashion watchers, alongside Princess Beatrice in a matching pink and white tweed blouse and skirt from Beulah London. The gingham check drew comparisons with a Catherine Walker coat dress worn by the late Princess Diana at a Thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in October 1990. Last month, Beatrice wore a fitted black Rebecca Vallance dress with diamante bows to an event in New York and a red brocade dress by the designer to a conservation event in London. 'These relationships happen over time, directly or through the stylists of members of the royal family,' says Vallance. 'The great thing is that these incredible women are so down to earth and know what suits them and the occasion. They are also great supporters of fashion. Zara was there when I launched in Harrods in 2023 and Princess Beatrice attended the launch of my Nicky Hilton capsule collection in London last year.' Queen Camilla looked further afield than London – but closer to home than Australia – with a mint green coat dress from Paris fashion house Dior. Along with a matching Philip Treacy hat and Chanel pumps, the outfit was completed by the 18.8-carat heart-shaped Cullinan V brooch.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
At Royal Ascot, an Australian designer continues her winning streak
Gambling at Royal Ascot in the UK takes place beyond the betting ring, with designers keeping a close watch on Princess Catherine and other members of the royal family as they set the tone for styles and sales in the coming months. 'When a member of the royal family wears your clothes, it has a direct impact on sales in the UK and beyond,' says Australian designer Rebecca Vallance. On day one of Royal Ascot, Vallance was a surprise winner when Zara Tindall wore a collared midi dress in pale blue, with a fitted empire bodice and contrasting lace from a recent collection. 'The great thing with the royal family is that they don't just wear the dresses once,' Vallance says. 'They wear them again and again.' Tindall first wore the suitably modest dress, paired this time with a pink hat from Sarah Cant millinery, at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in January. With Princess Catherine absent from Royal Ascot, Tindall was the focus for fashion watchers, alongside Princess Beatrice in a matching pink and white tweed blouse and skirt from Beulah London. The gingham check drew comparisons with a Catherine Walker coat dress worn by the late Princess Diana at a Thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in October 1990. Last month, Beatrice wore a fitted black Rebecca Vallance dress with diamante bows to an event in New York and a red brocade dress by the designer to a conservation event in London. 'These relationships happen over time, directly or through the stylists of members of the royal family,' says Vallance. 'The great thing is that these incredible women are so down to earth and know what suits them and the occasion. They are also great supporters of fashion. Zara was there when I launched in Harrods in 2023 and Princess Beatrice attended the launch of my Nicky Hilton capsule collection in London last year.' Queen Camilla looked further afield than London – but closer to home than Australia – with a mint green coat dress from Paris fashion house Dior. Along with a matching Philip Treacy hat and Chanel pumps, the outfit was completed by the 18.8-carat heart-shaped Cullinan V brooch.
The Australian
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Impressive colt stands up for Phillip Stokes after favourite scratched at Murray Bridge
Trainer Phillip Stokes looks to have a handy colt in his stable following Matahga's impressive victory in the Magic Millions Racing Rewards SA 2YO (1000m) at Murray Bridge. The son of Tivaci showed very little gate speed on debut and it was the case again at start number two after flopping out the back from a wide barrier. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! But with the leading pack going along at a strong tempo, it allowed Matahga to get right into the race and he sprouted wings over the final 200m to steal the victory. Stokes' son, Kerrin, was on course following the victory and was rapt to see Matahga break through at his second race start. 'He's going super,' Stokes, a former A-League player for Melbourne City, said. 'He was very good on debut and he's just a horse that takes a lot of riding to get through his gears. 'Jacob Opperman has had a few sits on him now and knows him well. 'He's a nice horse.' Matahga was an $80,000 purchase for the stable at Karaka in 2024 and he was able to get a fair chunk of that back with the first placed cheque worth $57,250. They will look to notch up a similar result later this month with Stokes earmarking a Listed race for Matahga. 'He's progressive, will go to the Oaklands Plate next and it's exciting,' Stokes said. Stokes initially had the favourite for the race with Ground Control before the horse was scratched. Nothing is wrong with the talented galloper other than giving the indication he had come to the end of his preparation. 'He's just ready for the paddock and was starting to feel the pinch,' Stokes said. 'So he'll have a good spell and come back as a nicer horse.' Meanwhile, trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly went close to winning the two-year-old feature with Mostly For Show. But 35 minutes later saw the duo take out the Racing Rewards 3YO with The Sprinkler. They also trained the third placegetter in the race with the favourite Out Of Square running on well.
News.com.au
14-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Matahga wins Magic Millions Racing Rewards 2YO at Murray Bridge
Trainer Phillip Stokes looks to have a handy colt in his stable following Matahga's impressive victory in the Magic Millions Racing Rewards SA 2YO (1000m) at Murray Bridge. The son of Tivaci showed very little gate speed on debut and it was the case again at start number two after flopping out the back from a wide barrier. But with the leading pack going along at a strong tempo, it allowed Matahga to get right into the race and he sprouted wings over the final 200m to steal the victory. Stokes' son, Kerrin, was on course following the victory and was rapt to see Matahga break through at his second race start. 'He's going super,' Stokes, a former A-League player for Melbourne City, said. 'He was very good on debut and he's just a horse that takes a lot of riding to get through his gears. 'Jacob Opperman has had a few sits on him now and knows him well. 'He's a nice horse.' Matahga was an $80,000 purchase for the stable at Karaka in 2024 and he was able to get a fair chunk of that back with the first placed cheque worth $57,250. They will look to notch up a similar result later this month with Stokes earmarking a Listed race for Matahga. 'He's progressive, will go to the Oaklands Plate next and it's exciting,' Stokes said. Matahga comes from a long way back & finishes the strongest in a promising maiden win ðŸ'¥ @pstokesracing — (@Racing) June 14, 2025 Stokes initially had the favourite for the race with Ground Control before the horse was scratched. Nothing is wrong with the talented galloper other than giving the indication he had come to the end of his preparation. 'He's just ready for the paddock and was starting to feel the pinch,' Stokes said. 'So he'll have a good spell and come back as a nicer horse.' Meanwhile, trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly went close to winning the two-year-old feature with Mostly For Show. But 35 minutes later saw the duo take out the Racing Rewards 3YO with The Sprinkler. They also trained the third placegetter in the race with the favourite Out Of Square running on well.
West Australian
09-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Simon Miller takes four heats at Monday's Belmont trials with several coming winners for the top trainer
Top trainer Simon Miller showcased plenty of coming winners at Monday's Belmont trials session, taking four heats across the morning. Miller first exhibited dark-coated two-year-old Twisted Steel making his first public appearance since January. The $100,000 yearling purchase scooted over to second place in the 1000m hit-out, parking outside Gentleman's Code. With 600m to go, Chloe Azzopardi allowed the gelding to slide up and eclipse the pacesetter, travelling better as the pair made the bend. Nudged along with 200m remaining, Twisted Steel put paid to Gentleman's Code and despite a late effort from Radiant Light, scored a handsome two-length win. The son of Rommel showed noticeable physical improvement from his opening trial where he also shaped encouragingly with a second placing to handy filly Pony Up. Next, Miller unveiled talented three-year-old filly Madhi Girl, who also had not been seen since the beginning of the year. Despite being among the last to leave the gates, Giaan O'Donnell swept the daughter of Winning Rupert around the field and took a near three-length lead after 200m. Floating along in a comfortable rhythm throughout, Madhi Girl swung the turn with a two-length buffer over Canny Coni and Kosta's Crown, who both got no closer down the straight. Madhi Girl has already proven a prolific earner for owner Teleah Hulse, who purchased the chestnut as a yearling in 2023 for $68,000. So far, she has amassed $280,000 in prizemoney, with career highlights including runner-up performances in the two-year-old Magic Millions and Placid Ark Prelude. Two-time winning three-year-old Horcrux will have also pleased his new connections with his hard-fought display in heat 11. The Miller-trained gelding was sold by his Ladbrokes Racing Club owners in February for $65,000 but the $180,000 earner was bought back by his trainer and stable connections. Sitting outside Talk To Wyn for the duration and with Want A Winner chiming in three wide, Horcrux stuck his nose out where it mattered in a driving three-way photo finish. A debut victor in July 2024, the son of Rommel was competitive without winning in the headline three-year-old events later that year. Miller's final winner for the morning was fellow three-year-old Diamond Dancer, who showed her true potential with a stylish showing. Whizzed across by O'Donnell to sit outside speedster Nonesospicy, Diamond Dancer moved up to join issue passing the 600m. However, Nonesospicy gave a generous kick turning the bend and immediately drew almost a length in front of the chestnut. Regathering her poise and shaken up by her rider at the 200m, Diamond Dancer focused on the task at hand and rapidly eroded the deficit within 100m. Kept up to her work, the daughter of Long Leaf strode clear and held a late effort from Surround Me by a length and a half, with Nonesospicy a further half-length away. Purchased for $130,000, Diamond Dancer has won just one race but has mixed it with the best of her age group in her 10-start career. Soundly held in Group events as a two-year-old, she gave a great sight when looming to win the Burgess Queen in November last year before emptying out for a close-up fourth.
