The Magic Millions meeting will be held at Aquis Park Gold Coast this Saturday (15th Jan). The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with mostly fine weather at the Gold Coast leading up to the weekend, Aquis Park will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
Queensland’s boom horse Apache Chase will go forward from his wide gate and make his own luck in the Magic Millions Cup (Gold Coast Race 6, 1400m). The Desleigh Forster-trained 4YO gelding has been in terrific form winning three races from five starts this campaign including victory in the Weetwood Stakes. Last start in the Buffering Stakes, Apache Chase finished 3rd to Kementari on a Heavy 10 track and the drying track will certainly help and so will the 1.5kg turnaround in weight on that horse. Seven furlong is his pet distance having won six times from nine attempts at the trip. Though drawing wide in gate 21 (likely to come into 16), there is a long run before the first turn. Jim Byrne knows the horse well and he will go forward and settle in the leading lunch and Apache Chase is the one they have to run down.
Unbeaten filly Russian Conquest could cause an upset by beating the hot favourite Coolangatta and take out the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (Gold Coast Race 7, 1200m). Winning the Max Lees Classic on debut, the Team Snowden-trained filly followed that up by annihilating a 1100m 2YO handicap field three weeks ago. Russian Conquest can handle any track conditions and stepping up to 1200m 3rd up looks ideal. With a short run before the first turn from the 1200m start, drawing inside (gate 4) is certainly a huge advantage. Kerrin McEvoy will settle midfield on the fence with a cosy run and Russian Conquest should have plenty up her sleeves and run home strongly.
The Melbourne Cup winning combination, Chris Waller and James McDonald, can combine once again and this time with Starman to take out the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (Gold Coast Race 8, 1400m). The Zoustar 3YO resumed with victory over 1200m at Rosehill on 18th December before finishing 4th at Randwick. Starman returned to winning last week here at the Gold Coast when he ran away in a 1200m 3YO handicap. Backing up on Saturday, Starman will be at his peak and he is going to run the 1400m right out. McDonald will settle midfield from barrier 7 and bide his time. Starman will be flying home in the last furlong.
By Owens Wong, Editor
