Tuesday’s barrier draw for Saturday’s $2M Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast was a favourable one for the local horses with Wicked Intent and Frequendly drawing 5 and 4 respectively, the pair currently heads an open betting market at $6.00 each. The value of a good gate in the Magic Millions cannot be underestimated with only one of the past eight winners jumping from a gate wider than 6 (Phelan Ready – 9). Six of those eight have jumped from gate four or inside! Add to the equation that punters have been spot on in recent edition of the Magic Millions with four of the past five favourites saluting; a home-town victory looks likely. Out to spoil the party will be interstate runners and last start winners Perignon and Claudia Jean, both on the second line of betting at $8.00 with the only other runner under double figures odds being Single Gaze ($9.00), who firmed in betting after the combination of gate 6 and the booking of Damien Oliver pleased punters.
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1. WICKED INTENT – C Munce (5)
Tasted defeat for the first time in four starts when second (two lengths) to Mishani Honcho in the B. J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. The Soft 7 rated track was the heaviest the son of Wicked Intent had seen and jockey Chris Munce was adamant post-race that his mount, who was pressured early on speed, can bounce back and has drawn ideally in gate 5.
2. ZOUTENANT – G Schofield (7)
The Kevin Moses trained runner will be looking to become the third horse in the past three five years to claim the Wyong/Gold Coast Magic Million double after narrowly winning the 2yo Wyong Classic narrowly before Christmas. He secured a perfect run behind the pace at Wyong and got the split when it was required upon straightening. That followed an impressive debut behind the smart Voilier. Should be in the right position turning to stake his claim.
3. LE CHEF – L Tarrant (3)
The son of Exceed And Excel broke his maiden status at his third start with an all-the-way win on the Gold Coast last week. The Darryl Hansen trained galloper has improved at each of his starts but faces a big step up again against the likes of this field and will likely found at least a handful too good.
4. OLD TRIESTE – J Byrne (20)
Made his debut with a second to Prompt Return at Flemington in the Maribyrnong Plate, backed that up with a fourth to Carriages in Ballarat Clockwise Classic before coming to the Gold Coast for the B. J. McLachlan Stakes. It was his first look at a soft track and held his position from the turn in the run to the line, finishing fifth (4 lengths) behind Mishani Warrior and Wicked Intent. Likely to improve back on top of the ground but still yet to win a race and has drawn poorly.
5. SURF SEEKER – J McDonald (18)
Made his debut for Hawkes Racing in the Wyong 2yo Magic Millions and put in a fantastic effort to run second to Zoutenant. Settling at the back of the field on the tight Wyong track, the son of Wanted stormed home to just miss claiming the winner. He can only be better for that run and experience, with the likely hot speed and bigger Gold Coast track to also be of benefit to him. Will be in the second half of the field turning for home but should be charging late.
6. CARRIAGES – T Berry (21)
Put in a tough on-pace effort on debut when third to Mine Two before travelling to Ballarat and again in a determined display, led all the way to defeat Prompt Return in the Clockwise Classic. Suffered a minor set-back when first arriving in Brisbane and missed a run and the barrier draw could not have been any more unkind. Professional type but after the setback and draw, both trainer and horse will have to produce an extraordinary performance to be winning here.
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7. FREQUENDLY – B Stewart (4)
Firmed considerable in Magic Millions markets when posting her third win from four starts comfortably at Toowoomba on New Year’s Eve. The Seqaulo filly set a hot speed and was simply too good for her opponents late, stretching out in good style to win by three lengths. Speedy type who will give them plenty to run down from gate four but will have to dig deep late to hold of the challenges late.
8. SINGLE GAZE – D Oliver (6)
Nick Olive’s Not A Single Doubt filly was unwanted on debut at Rosehill early in December and started an $81.00 chance however; she appreciated a solid tempo up front and rattled home to defeat Zulu Royal by a length. She then lined up for the 2yo Wyong Magic Millions where from the widest gate, she was posted deep throughout and had leaving the 600m, begin to move forward circling the field. She loomed up to Zoutenant but the run just took its toll over the dying stages and she ran third (neck) with Surf Seeker second. Proved the debut win was no fluke last start where she had plenty to do. Not to be dismissed lightly.
9. FLAMENCO – L Cassidy (2)
Made it a winning debut for connections when she finished strongly from a midfield position to claim the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes last month. The daughter of Sequalo had plenty of work to do in the run home to earn that victory, weaving for runs before balancing up late and claiming Flamenco Girl right on the line. Flamenco Girl failed on the soft track in the B. J. McLachlan but hard to imagine this filly not having come on from her only run and there’s was plenty to like about that one.
10. MISS IDYLLIC – M Walker (19)
Agonisingly for connections, their Exceed And Excel filly has finished second in three of her first four starts, the two most recent of which have been by minute margins at Moonee Valley and Rosehill behind Bantam and Ottoman respectively. Carried 59kgs at Moonee Valley and the wraps on Ottoman are significant and with a better draw could’ve rated a place chance but the barrier draw (19) had dashed her hopes one would think.
11. PERIGNON – B Avdulla (11)
Made his debut on in the Wyong Magic Millions and closed well from the tail of the field after finding some traffic on the turn, to run fourth behind Zoutenant and Surf Seeker. Had his only start since at Rosehill a fortnight ago and closed well again from midfield, well enough claim the 1200m Canterbury race by a neck with Look To The Stars second. Nice type of filly from Snitzel – a breed Ryan know back-to-front and she’s shown enough in her two starts to be given serious consideration here.
12. MADOTTI – T Bell (15)
Ran second (2.8 lengths) to Frequendly on debut for trainer Matthew Dunn and went one better at her following start, winning a 2yo race at Doomben by half a length with The Wildman second. Given a few weeks break after that run and returned on the 18th December with a fifth to Saga Of The Storm where she couldn’t improve her position from the home turn. Fitter for that run but clearly faces her tougher task to date and will find this too tough.
13. SAGA OF THE STORM – R Thompson (10)
Closed well from worse than midfield on debut to run third to Mishani Honcho – subsequent winner of B. J. McLachlan Stakes, and backed that up with a smart win, again closing from well back in the run, at Doomben the Saturday before Christmas. Hard not to be impressed with last start win and although this is a step up again, the 1200m and solid tempo should play right into the Real Saga filly’s hands.
14. CLADIA JEAN – S Baster (1)
Made her price of $8.50 on debut look luxury odds when scooting away over the final stages to win the Flemington 1000m event by 3.5 lengths. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt only beat four home but she was couldn’t have done any more than she did in recording a smart win. Faces a big step up in class here but appears to have the ability, had drawn the coveted inside gate and comes from an in-form stable (Hayes/Dabernig)
15. PEPPERANO – D Browne (17)
The Court Command filly scored a comfortable all-the-way on debut at Doomben, defeating Patronizing by 2.3 lengths with Frequendly third. Frequendly turned the tables at their next start though, at Toowoomba on New Year’s Eve, with Pepperano running fourth (4.3 lengths) Kept chasing all the way last start and unlucky not to have finished in the placing after suffering interference late. If you like Frequendly, the $17 on offer for this filly would attract some attention but the gate will make it difficult.
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16. RACEY – J Parr (9)
Jumped straight to the front when making her debut on her home track of Warwick Farm and lasted for trainer Gary Portelli, defeating Look To The Stars by length. She then drew wide at Canterbury a few days after Christmas, worked forward from the jump and stuck her to task well late, finishing third (0.6 lengths) behind Perignon. Professional type who tries hard and but speed map is not favourable and could be vulnerable late.
17. FLAMENCO GIRL – (16) (1st EM)
Danny Bougoure took his well-bred Snitzel filly to the Sunshine Coast for her debut which she won by half a length before being caught in the final hop of the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes by Flamenco after been given every chance in the run. Only start since saw her jump awkwardly and fail to handle the soft conditions in the B J McLachlan Stakes a fortnight ago. Better on top of the ground but even with a start, others should have her measure.
18. RIGHT OF WAY – T Clark (12) (2nd EM)
Drifted from $5 to $10 on debut but almost defied the chance, leading most of the way when second to Paceman at Rosehill before finishing third (2.3 lengths) to Sampeah at the same course a fortnight later. Contested the B. J. McLachlan Stakes at her only run since but could improve her on-pace position on the slow track and finished fifth (8.3 lengths) behind Mishani Honcho. Likely to struggle should she gain a start.
19. REAL GOOD – (14) (3rd EM)
Secured a lovely run on debut and given his chance when a length second to Saga Of The Storm before drawing well and being left with no excuses again when second to Le Chef at only start since. Needed to be winning one or both of those races in good style to be winning here.
20. STAR OF NIGHT – (13) (4th EM)
Back-maker who has been getting home steadily at each of her three starts, the most recent of which saw her take advantage of the slow track and claim third in the B. J. McLachlan Stakes on the Gold Coast behind Mishani Honcho. The soft track made it easy for her to run past several opponents who were struggling late and at this stage of her career, there are easier races available to her.
21. WICKED INVESTMENT – (8) (5th EM)
Well accounted for last start in the Toowoomba race on New Year’s Eve last start, finishing fifth (8.3 lengths) behind Frequendly. That was on a soft 5 and whilst his runs on firmer surfaces have been better and seen him finish just behind the likes of Hot Snippety, Saga Of The Storm and The Wildman, they are still not good enough to see him break his maiden status in this race.
RACE OVERVIEW –
Pace should be very slick with the two favourite – Frequendly and Wicked Intent showing the way and the likes of Carriages and Miss Idyllic from wide draw, keeping them honest. The past two winners have come from off the pace and that could be the same again here with several gallopers filling the bill nicely. Single Gaze’s two runs have been very good and with a sweeter run in transit than she got at Wyong from a more favourable draw, she’ll be poised to strike as will Perignon who should’ve finished closer than he did at Wyong before winning well at Canterbury. The bigger track here will suit. Surf Seeker’s run at Wyong had to been seen to be believed but gate 18 the worry with just how far back he’ll have to get. As betting suggests tough race, and whilst the two favourite have all the right credentials, just wonder if they’ll have enough in the tank late with the hot speed and prefer to go looking for some value.
1. SINGLE GAZE
2. PERIGNON
3. WICKED INTENT
4. SURF SEEKER
