All the attention turns to the Gold Coast this Saturday for the Magic Millions meeting. What a day it promises to be! The track is currently rated a dead 5 but should improve to good or close to it by Saturday. Either way we'll have a top racing surface.
Before we get into the main business of the Magic Millions meeting I'd like to apologise for my performance last Saturday. Shithouse can be the only way to describe the dismal results. Anyway it only costs money to find out and we always get another chance to test ourselves. Let's hope lady luck is on our side this Saturday!
Gold Coast
Race 1
We kick things off with a big field of maidens going around over 1200m. I like a challenge and that's exactly what we have here. Actually a challenge undersells the difficulty finding a winner in this race. Gee whiz this is a dartboard job. I'm going with the Gillian Heinrich trained In Full View (14). This All Bar One filly has drawn barrier 9 but unlike a lot of the other horses drawn wide, she has gate speed. I can see jockey Tim Bell getting her into the leading few horses when they settle. Her form reads reasonably well. On debut she overraced and finished 2nd by 3 lengths over 1200m. In her 2nd start she settled 2nd before being run down late. She suffered heat stress that day. On both occasions she had legimate excuses but the times were quite good in both. She has since won a barrier trial by 4 lengths. In a very open race I think she looks a good each way bet as she'll be out and running and avoiding the big pack behind her. Other hopes to Born Superstar (12), Snippets Land (7) and The Yowie (8).
Race 2
I would hardly call 1800m a suitable distance for a Stayers Cup but I'll roll with it. Maybe they knew my hatred for the 2000m+ race in Brisbane so they dropped it back to 1800m. Black Jet (8) looks a horse going places. This 4 year old has won 5 of his 10 starts and placed in 3 others. He enters this race on the back of a class 5 and then a class 6 win. Both races were over 1600m and he hit the line strongly. He has won his only start over 1800m and the way he has finishing off lately suggests he's looking for it now. Glen Colless takes the ride and at 54kg will be hard to hold out after sitting off a decent speed. Other hopes to Scorpio Queen (2), Borehole (1) and Hi Son (10).
Race 3
Speed critical here. Driefontein and Sept De Couers to take up the lead. That's a given. However what happens next is less clear cut. What are the horses from barriers 7 to 10 going to do? I believe that they won't want to get posted 3 wide so the speed could be better than expected. That would be ideal anyway for my selection Anna Lizzie (3). Having said that she's drawn nicely in barrier 5 so she may race closer than usual. This mare has won 5 from 11 and resumed very nicely recently over 1350m. She finished 2nd by 2.3 lengths to Divine City but she certainly hit the line strongly. With increased fitness from that 1st up run she'll be once again steaming home. She races particularly well at this track winning 2 from 3. Gets Glen Colless back in the saddle who has accompanied her in 3 of her wins. Other hopes to Divine City (2), Driefontein (1) and Playtime (4).
Race 4
The sprint over 1100m sees no end of speed. Whittington (8) draws nicely to sit 2 or 3 pair back and get the nice smother behind a hot speed. This Waterhouse youngster has done all it's racing in Group and Stakes company. He resumes here with a very nice trial win to his credit suggesting that he's ready to fire 1st up. Gets the services of gun jockey Tommy Berry who we all know will give the horse every possible chance. Other chances to Hidden Warrior (1), Avaladyluck (11) and Steel Zip (3).
Race 5
The first of the big races for the day....the Magic Millions Guineas for 3 year olds over 1400m. This is a great field assembled as you would expect when $1 million is on offer. I'm really quite keen on the chances of Enquare (12). This filly has been really impressive winning her past 4 starts. Earlier in her career she tended to get back and run on. Since coming back from a spell she's shown that she can race closer to the action and still show that fierce finish. She's drawn beautifully in barrier 2 and jockey Jim Byrne will be able to take full advantage of that and get into a lovely position a few pairs back. She won her only start over this distance. Other hopes to Splendora (15), Sweet Idea (10) and Weinholt (5).
Race 6
The Magic Millions 2 year old Classic will no doubt see the speed clapped on. I really liked the run of Stroak (13) last start when she narrowly ran 2nd to Unencumbered over 1200m at Doomben. It was an enormous run where she was hitting the line hard after racing wide all race. Her 2 other starts resulted in wins. The hot pace will suit her strong finish and I think Michael Cahill can smoke his pipe while the leaders cut at each other early on. Blinkers go on for the first time so I think she'll be as sharp as a tac for this. Other hopes to Unencumbered (1), Oakleigh Girl (12) and Ruby Soho (15).
Race 7
I like the look of Club Command (3) here in the Magic Millions Cup over 1400m. If you're into stats then this horse ticks all the boxes. He resumes here and has a super 1st up record winning 2 and placing 2nd in 3 resumptions. He has won 2 trials since his last race and did it easily. He loves this distance as shown by the fact he's never been out of the placings in 7 starts over this trip. Impressively he's won 4 of those. He's drawn wide in barrier 11 but I believe jockey Blake Shinn can get the horse across to box seat. He offers great value at double figure odds. Other hopes to General Exhibit (8), Regular (10) and Doubtfilly (7).
Race 8
This looks a fairly average race to finish the card but there is one horse that stands out. Gundy Spirit (11) is an emergency in the Guineas but looks to have a class edge on these older horses. Following a breakthrough win at Ipswich 3 starts ago, he's finished strongly to be very close to Into The Red and Enquare. That is sensational form for a race like this. You'd love the race to be over a bit further but the 1200m won't worry him at all. The speed should be solid enough for him to unwind a strong burst in the straight and win. Other hopes to Target In Sight (6), Loupets (3) and Commandare (2).
Best Bets
Race 2 - Black Jet (8)
Race 5 - Enquare (12)
Race 8 - Gundy Spirit (11)
No comments:
Post a Comment