Tigroni faces a stiff assignment chasing a maiden-breaking victory in Saturday’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast, but victory is not essential for her owners to secure a lucrative return.
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained filly is one of only three runners eligible for Magic Millions’ Racing Women’s Bonus, which provides an additional $500,000 in incentives for horses owned entirely by women.
The winner of the 1200-metre feature will collect $1.7 million, while first past the post among the bonus-eligible runners earns $325,000, plus any prizemoney accrued, and Charlton said the race was an obvious target after Tigroni’s consistent start to her career.
She comes into the Classic off three minor placings from as many starts, most recently finishing third in last Saturday’s Gold Pearl.
“Once she was trialling well back in October time and then raced very well first-up it was probably the obvious target, particularly given she’s a ladies syndicate horse,” Charlton said.
“She had a little freshen up and then ran well again when third behind By Choice and then, again, we we’re happy with her run on Saturday when things probably didn’t quite go to plan.
“So, this is a race we’ve targeted. We’re under no illusion, but if there’s a few chinks in the armours of the top picks then she might be a good top-three chance.”
Tigroni, a daughter of Tiger Of Malay who was purchased for $85,000 at last year’s Gold Coast Sale, is a $41 chance and the best fancied of the bonus contenders, with Leaves Of Lorien and Inhabit both at triple-figure odds.
Markets are open with leading Australian betting sites for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, with interest high around the bonus-eligible runners.
Charlton will also saddle up Getafix in the $2 million Magic Millions Cup, a race that became the target after plans to contest the Golden Eagle were shelved.
Getafix’s sole run this preparation was a fifth placing in the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) on New Year’s Day, a race won by King’s Secret.
“He’s had a great little freshen up and then ran well last start,” Charlton said.
“Spywire, who finished behind him, won The Syndicate so that form may be okay and he gets back to 1400.”
Getafix will carry 53kg and jump from barrier one under Zac Lloyd in the Magic Millions Cup, where he is second favourite behind Yellow Brick.
The post Tigroni’s owners eye big payday in Magic Millions Classic first appeared on Just Horse Racing.