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Jewel Magic Millions Cup 2016 race preview
08 January 2016 11:16 AM
After a bit of rain during the week the Gold Coast track was rated a Soft 6 at 7.23 am Friday morning. The rail is out half a metre from the 1000m to the 400m mark. There are several quality races for punters to get their teeth into on the nine race Magic Millions Day program with the main feature the $1.89 million Magic Millions two-year-old Classic.
Race six on the program is the Listed Jewel Magic Millions Cup over 1400m. With runners starting at the start of the back straight, it gives the field good time to settle with 400m to the first turn.
Lucky Hussler resumes after a solid Spring preparation where he won the Group 1 Toorak and wasn't far away in the rest of his races. Has won in QLD so we know he can handle that way of going. Looks to have a class edge on paper and should prove hard to beat.
Bachman certainly presents as a horse on the up. Two wins from two starts this preparation gives him a fitness edge coming into this. Barrier shouldn't pose too many challenges as he prefers to race about midfield which he should manage to do over this course. One of the key challengers.
Murt The Flirt is a consistent runner who has recently been racing in easier grades than this. Gets weight relief here which helps. Best efforts have come over shorter distances but did put a reasonable effort into last year's Group 2 QLD Guineas. Chance.
Open Book is another horse getting weight relief after recent racing in easier grades. His last three runs have included wins at benchmark 76 level. Good record over the 1400m. Could surprise.
Illustrious Lad steps up to 1400m after reasonable efforts up to 1200m. Hasn't won past 1200m. Finished last preparation with a win down the straight at Flemington in Listed company.
Fontelina looked good last start winning by almost 2 lengths in Listed company on a soft track showing he is fitter now. Past form lines aren't bad for this race. Definitely a winning chance if he can get a good sit and a fair crack at them in the straight.
Strawberry Boy makes claims here. Good second-up and soft track form and his 0.6 lengths fourth in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke last preparation suggests he is right up to this. Hit the wall in the striaght first-up suggesting he needed the run. Gets nice weight relief here and J McDonald on board.
Of the others I like Baligari at double figure odds. Came home strongly last start to finish 2.4 lengths behind Bachman. Extra distance suits here and should be fitter. Bull Point could be a surprise packet after two good trials and so could Harada Bay.
1st Bachman - never a fan of tryng to catch a horse's third consecutive win but I am breaking that rule here. Think he makes the best case, even with barrier 14 to contend with. He will need some luck before the first turn but McEvoy will have time to negotiate the traffic over the 400m back straight and he won't have to press too hard as he prefers a midfield position.
2nd Baligari - really like the value he offers in the race. Wasn't too far behind Bachman last start and he will definitely improve on that effort through fitness and the extra 100m.
3rd Lucky Hussler - tops the class listing here and performs well fresh.
Mike Steward