Mimi Lebrock Puts Aussie Sire's Heart on Display

It was the run of a born superstar and when Mimi Lebrock overcame every obstacle to land the (Aus)$1 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2-Year-Old Classic (1,200 meters) at the Gold Coast, and everyone knew they had seen something special.

But there is an even bigger prize won following the gutsy effort too.

Mimi Lebrock is by locally bred, performed and stationed stallion Show A Heart. He is as Australian as one can possibly get and he now joins Redoute's Choice and Encosta de Lago as the three big stallions in the land. Which adds enormous, probably insurmountable, fuel to the great debate raging in Australian breeding and buying circles at present -- are the shuttlers in the same class as Aussie stallions?

That debate will rage on, but it is reflecting in the service fees, the number of mares headed to either/or stallion and, indeed, in the sale ring.

The 'colonials' as the Australian breds are referred to, have stormed back and are profoundly the flavor of the month now.

And if Mimi Lebrock (Show A Heart-God Love It),  who beat home the favourite Husson Lightning (Hussonet-Snip Snip) and Royal Asscher (Stravinsky-Diamond Cashel), can go on and win the (Aus)$3 million Golden Slipper Stakes in April, there may be no more argument.

She arrived from Sydney on Thursday and about an hour later, a colt was placed in the stall next to her. He tormented and teased her for 48 hours before anyone knew how stressed she was. He was moved, but many thought the damage had been done. No injury, but stress was everywhere.

Then, as the gates flew open, the usually super fast Mimi could not muster enough speed to find the lead and had to sit back in sixth, covering ground racing three wide throughout. Because of the tightness of the Gold Coast track, a horse cannot race wide and still find a kick. Yet Mimi Lebrock did.

She surged upon straightening and reached the lead with 250 meter to travel, then withstood a strong challenge by Husson Lightning, who had been placed on the fence and traveling sweetly throughout.

Trained by master horseman Bart Cummings, Mimi Lebrock was purchased by owner Les Smith for $170,000 at last year's Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Steve Morley, stud manager of Glenlogan Park who bred and sold her, said prior to the race, "We have not produced a better looking daughter of Show A Heart before." And he was right. She now must surely be ranked as the country's most exciting juvenile filly and a return to Sydney to chase Slipper glory is in the cards.

Cummings, who has won just about every race of importance in Australia, said, "it's magic to win this race up here.

"I was as confident as you can be. She wasn't the best out of the barriers, but things played into our hands as there was plenty of speed early.

"I thought she (Mimi Lebrock) would be hard to beat, but I heard they thought the runner-up (Husson Lightning) was unbeatable," Cummings added.

Cummings told winning jockey Hugh Bowman before the race not to use up too much early if he couldn't lead and to have something in reserve at the business end of the race.

"I think it turned out that way," he said. No one who backed her, under the assumption she would lead on what is always a leader biased track, knew Cummings had given those instructions.

"It was an excellent ride," Cummings smiled afterwards.

The race looked an even and competitive contest on paper and it certainly turned out that way.

Royal Asscher (Stravinsky-Diamond Cashel) was a further long neck back in third place.

Cajou (by Encosta de Lago), who like Royal Asscher came from an outside barrier, was the best of the unplaced brigade in fourth place.

All those with Show A Heart yearlings engaged over the next three days of trading all jumped for joy, especially Peter Vegso in Florida. He is selling a Show A Heart filly with the same cross as Mimi Lebrock on Monday at the MM Sale. "I couldn't have asked for a better result. This must help my filly," he said.

Show A Heart was the freshman champion of Australia last year beating our horses like Galileo and Giant's Causeway  , and is a mile in front on the second crop table as well.