A start in the summer’s richest race is on the line for Miss Idyllic at Moonee Valley.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel is the most experienced of the 11 runners contesting Saturday’s Adapt Australia Handicap over 1000m and victory would secure a start in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 10.

The two-year-old, trained by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, made her debut at Caulfield on October 11 chasing home the smart Of The Brave in the Debutant Stakes before finishing fourth to Antelucan at Flemington over 1000m on Melbourne Cup day.

First prize at Moonee Valley on Saturday is $48,000 and coupled with the $28,350 already earned, Miss Idyllic should have enough to gain a start on the Gold Coast.

“She’s got good consistent form for a race like this,” Hayes said.

“Hopefully she’ll qualify for the Magic Millions if she wins but if she runs second she probably won’t have earned enough prize money.”

Bantam, fifth on debut behind Prompt Return in the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington on November 8 and Miss Gidget, a narrow second to Thurlow at Sandown on November 15, are the only other two horses to have faced the starter.

Hayes is also hoping Extra Zero can break through for a long overdue win in the final event, the Sportingbet Powered By William Hill Handicap (2040m).

Extra Zero has been racing in consistent fashion lately but has been finding it hard to break back into the winner’s list.

His last victory came in the Albury Cup over 2000m in March 2012.

In total Extra Zero has raced on 65 occasions, registering just the four wins and 19 minor placings with five of those coming in his five starts this campaign.

He was a last-start third to Zabisco in the Group Three Eclipse Stakes over 1800m at Sandown on November 15 and is dropping in grade on Saturday.

“He’s run an amazing number of placings,” Hayes said.

“He’s in form and racing well and it looks a winnable race for him, so I would think he should run well again.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au