This Saturday sees the running of the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO and 3YO Classics which coincide with the Magic Millions yearling sale at their Gold Coast complex.
The forecast is for fine and sunny weather in the Gold Coast. The track was rated a Good 3 on Thursday and the rail is out 0.5m for the entire circuit.
In Sydney, the weather is fine and the Rosehill track was rated a Good 3 and the rail is out 6m for the entire circuit.
In the Korean Air M.M. Stayers Cup (Gold Coast Race 2, 1800m), the top weight Kinnersley looks the horse to beat. Even though he has been allotted with 59kg, he has proven that he can carry weight by winning the Goulburn Cup (1600m) with the same impost two starts back. And his last start in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes was full of merit. Kinnersley carried 56.5kg and settled mid-field from a wide barrier. He was coming home strong and was slightly checked at the 200m. Eventually he was only beaten 2.7 lengths. He was a winner from his only start over 1800m and from barrier 6, Tommy Berry will be able to settle the gelding a bit closer to the lead. Kinnersley is the class runner in this race and I’ll be sticking with him.
In the Magic Millions 3YO Stakes (Gold Coast Race 5,1400m), the Queensland sprinter and race favourite Sizzling is the highest rated horse in the race. However he has drawn barrier 20 (into barrier 16 after scratching) and that left Craig Williams with not much options. He could easily get trapped three to four deep and with 58.5kg on his back, he could be a real risk. And I am not entirely sure if the Waterhouse-trained Driefontein is going as well as last year. I am tipping the Angela Davies-trained She’s a Stalker. She has been in great form this preparation having finished no worse than 2nd for three runs. And she has beaten Driefontein fair and square in the Wyong M.M. 3YO Stakes. From barrier 1, Christian Reith will give her a rail hugging run just behind the leaders. Currently at $11.00 fixed odds, She’s a Stalker is a great each-way bet.
The main feature of the meeting (Gold Coast Race 6, 1200m) is the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. In seriousness, there are only two winning chances – the Clarry Conners-trained Assail and the Rick Hore-Lacy-trained Clevadude. It’s a shame that Clevadude has drawn barrier 18 (into barrier 14 after scratching) but he does have very good gate speed. As long as he jumps on term with them, he could still cross the field and lead the race. On the other hand, barrier 1 for Assail may not be that much an advantage. There are a lot of speed horses drawn outside Assail and they could swamp Assail in the first 200m and knock her off a bit, especially Assail is only a small filly. After the barrier draw, Assail has come into $2.90 favouritism while Clevadude has eased out to $4.60. At the current odds, I am willing to take the chance and back Clevadude.
By Owens Wong, Editor
