Phoenix Ladies Syndicate will see their colours carried in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic for a second time in as many years thanks to Ghostwriter.
The all-female group bought into the Annabel Neasham trained colt, joining forces with Loretta Fung, shortly after he impressed with a winning debut at Doomben. Twelve months ago the orange and white silks of ‘PLS’ were visible on the back of Euphoric Summer in the $2million race and the team are thrilled to be involved with another live chance in 2021.
“It’s a great race to have a runner in and we’re honoured to go there with a real chance of success,” said Phoenix Ladies Pamela Cordina. “This has been the plan since we purchased a share in him, so it’s brilliant that we have made it. Annabel has done a superb job.”
In addition to the $1.1million for finishing first, the ownership partners will be eyeing the $500,000 bonus offer by Magic Millions for the highest finishing all-female owned runner.
“The bonus great incentive to get more ladies involved in racehorse ownership,” said Cordina. “It’s very much in-line with what we are trying to do with PLS. It’s a lot better now than in the past, but I still think women are often put off racing by seeing it as a ‘man’s’ domain. However, there are now all-female syndicates all over the world, proving that isn’t the case.”
Since striking out on her own, it’s become evident Annabel Neasham is destined be a top trainer in her own right. After leaving her successful stint with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace she notched up her first winner on her first attempt and has since amassed an impressive strike rate of just shy of 30%. She said of Ghostwriter’s chances:
“He’s had three starts, won his first start at Doomben and although his last start was not ideal, he has been working well and seems to be back on track.”
Things didn’t pan out for the Phoenix Ladies with Euphoric Summer last season, but they have confidence that Ghostwriter might be able to ink their name into the Magic Millions history books.