His sights are firmly set on Magic Millions glory in two weeks time but Toowoomba trainer Ron Macrae is equally enthusiastic about Aquatorial’s chances at Doomben on Saturday.
Macrae will start Aquatorial in the Group Three $150,000 Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) and said the three-year-old was primed to run a terrific race.
“I’ve always thought he’ll be better off once the races get a bit longer and the 1350 metres will suit him perfectly,” he said.
“His goal has always been the Magic Millions at the Coast but he’s in good shape and I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”
The $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 14 and Aquatorial is currently rated a $23 chance for the feature with TAB Sportsbet.
At his last run, Aquatorial turned in a tip-top performance to finish eighth, beaten three lengths, to Biggles when ridden by Brad Stewart at Eagle Farm on December 17.
Stewart was forced to drag Aquatorial well back off his awkward draw to avoid sitting wide and Macrae said the leading hoop gave him an encouraging post-race report.
“Brad said the horse raced as well as anything else in the race and not to be disappointed that he didn’t finish closer,” Macrae said.
“He had to give away an impossible start but he found the line really well and the step up to 1350 metres and the good barrier (two) on Saturday will have him right in the race.”
Meanwhile, astute trainer Steele Ryan has always wanted to test veteran galloper King Of The Kongo over a mile and finally gets his wish in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Bernborough Handicap (1615m).
King Of The Kongo has finished on the heels of the winner at his only three runs this preparation and Ryan is quietly confident the Lion Hunter eight-year-old will be right in the finish again.
“I’ve always wanted to get him out to the mile and wouldn’t it be a nice race to be proven correct,” he said.
“It was always my plan to tippy-toe into the Bernborough and he’s drawn well in barrier five and gets in well at 53kg.”
AAP TURF
