Divine Prophets Ezekeil Claims Country Cup

Racing is underway at a gloomy Aquis Park Gold Coast on Magic Millions Raceday, with the heavily backed Ezekeil doing the right thing for punters in the $500,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m).

Ridden by Jamie Kah for Cody Morgan, Ezekeil sat just off the pace before putting the race to bed at the 300m. The 4yo son of Divine Prophet defeated Situation Room (Defcon) by three and a half lengths, with King Gutho (Better Than Ready) three-quarter length back in third.

Ezekeil is proving an inspired purchase for Australian Bloodstock. From the first crop of Divine Prophet, Ezekeil was a $220,000 buy for Aquis Farm from the Bowness Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

After placing in two of his three starts for Kacy Fogden, he was offered for sale at the 2021 Inglis March (Early) Online Sale, where he made $42,500.

With his win in the Country Cup, Ezekeil advances his record to five wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $372,310.

Cody Morgan said everything fell in place, although the rain was unexpected.

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"Everything lined up for him. Down in the weights, I thought he might have got a touch more, and it was very important to come up with the draw.

"He had everything going for him all week, and I thought nothing could go wrong, but then we woke up this morning, and it was a Soft 7, which he hasn't won on.

"Probably very fortunate we were in race one."

Jamie Kah said the winner is better than a country horse.

"I galloped this horse on Tuesday and couldn't believe he was in the country race. Honestly, he feels like a proper horse, and the way he went today was fantastic," Kah said.

"It’s great. It’s what racing is all about. It is good for Cody and the connections.

“Really surprising how soft it is. I was one off the rail early, and my horse was just treading his wheels there until I got off. It is challenging out there and it is only going to get worse.”

Ezekeil is the best of three winners from five to race out of the unraced Cape Cross (IRE) mare Pure Intentions.   

Purchased by Bowness Stud for $16,000 in 2011, Pure Intensions is a half-sister to Group III SAJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Cute Emily (Choisir) and to the dam of Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude (f), and Group III Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes winner Psychologist (Choisir), and to Hong Kong Derby winner and Group 1 HKJC Stewards' Cup winner Luger (Choisir).

Pure Intentions has a yearling colt by D'Argento and was not covered last spring.