The $10 million Magic Millions meeting will be held this Saturday. Gold Coast was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather leading up to the weekend, Gold Coast will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Team Waterhouse-trained Dinnigan is ready to break her maiden status in the opening event at the Gold Coast (Gold Coast Race 1, 1200m). In her last 2 runs, this Snitzel filly has scored back-to-back 2nd placings. Last start in the Vo Rogue Plate, Dinnigan was trying to lead from start to finish, only got run down in the last 100m by Pierata, whom happens to be the favourite for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. Tim Clark will be back on board after missing the ride in the Vo Rogue Plate. From barrier 8 (into barrier 4 after taking out the emergencies), Clark will go to the lead and Dinnigan will show them a clean pair of heels.
Team Hawkes-trained Wild Heart will have conditions to suit in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (Gold Coast Race 7, 1400m). First up in the Wyong 3YO & 4YO Handicap, Wild Heart stalked the pace and drawn away to win well over 1200m. Stepping up to 1400m 2nd up will suit. Hawkes has given the 3YO a soft trial at Rosehill 4 days ago to keep his fitness up to the mark. Drawn beautifully in barrier 3 on Saturday and Brenton Avdulla will once again be aboard. Avdulla will settle the gelding just behind the pace and Wild Heart will be hard to hold out in the run home. Currently Wild Heart is at pretty good odds at $10.00 in the fixed odds market.
Top filly Sunlight is primed to take out the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (Gold Coast Race 8, 1200m). Since her debut 3rd in the Maribyrnong Trial in early October, Sunlight has been unbeaten winning both her starts at the Gold Coast track. This Zoustar filly boasts a similar form line as last year’s Magic Million Classic winner Houtzen. Sunlight won the 1100m 2YO Handicap last start at the Coast, the same race Houtzen won last year before her victory in the Magic Millions. They both led the race from start to finish, and posted exactly the same winning margin – 4.5 lengths. Though drawing wide in the Magic Millions (Barrier 15), Sunlight has enough gate speed to overcome this disadvantage, just like Houtzen who had drawn barrier 16 last year. Regular jockey Luke Currie will take Sunlight straight to the lead and she will be hard to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
