Icarian Dream fell short in last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but trainer Ciaron Maher is prepared to roll the dice again at the Gold Coast.
The Blue Point filly is set to line up in Saturday’s $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, chasing redemption 12 months on.
The 1400-metre feature comes a year after Icarian Dream finished 12th, beaten 6-1/2 lengths as a $9 chance in the 2YO Classic after drawing the outside gate, and while she faces a stern test again, Maher believes circumstances are more favourable this time.
“We were coming to the Gold Coast 2YO (Classic) full of confidence until the barrier draw (when) I think we got 20-something,” Maher said.
“She’s always been a horse with a lot of ability.
“Two starts ago she ran well and it was then we thought, ‘right, we’ll aim up here at this this race’.”
Icarian Dream arrives at the Guineas following a third placing, two lengths behind last Saturday’s The Sunlight winner Grafterburners, in the Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 20.
That effort marked her second consecutive third placing, following three unplaced runs at the start of her three-year-old campaign, including a 2-1/2-length defeat by Sheza Alibi in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on Derby Day.
“She went off and she had a few little growing issues, or soreness issues, and I just feel like her last run and her run prior to that were both full of merit and back to what we originally thought of her,” Maher said.
“I think she’s going very well. She’ll do a piece of work during the week and be right to go.”
Markets are open with leading Australian betting sites for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, giving punters plenty of options ahead of Saturday’s feature.
Icarian Dream sits second in betting for the Guineas behind Ninja, who firmed into odds-on favouritism after his dominant win in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.
Maher also holds a strong hand in the $3 million 2YO Classic, which he has previously won with Away Game and Coolangatta, with Tornado Valley and Unit Five prominent in betting for the 1200-metre race.
The post Maher Dreaming of Magic Millions redemption first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
