Chris Waller will gamble on a barrier trial and a gear addition to revive the Magic Millions fortunes of Fundido.
The premier Sydney trainer has been forced into making hastily-revised plans in the wake of Fundido’s odds-on Boxing Day defeat.
Fundido, one of the first Sydney juveniles of the season to carry a boom, was beaten into fifth place by impressive debutant Epaulette at Rosehill.
The Lonhro youngster was pocketed and became held up behind the leader well in the straight.
But once clear running was presented, Fundido did little despite the urgings of jockey Glyn Schofield.
On the strength of an 1100m Rosehill win earlier this month, Fundido went into Monday’s race as an $8 Magic Millions chance.
His quote has now almost doubled to $14 behind the $3.80 clear favourite, the Queensland-trained colt Sizzling.
In between races as he dominated another Sydney meeting with a winning treble, Waller settled on his next move for Fundido in the quiet confines of his stable premises which are located on course.
“There are trials on here (at Rosehill) eight days before the Magic Millions,” Waller said.
“I went back to the stables, got some oxygen and had a look at the calendar there and then.
“That’s how I know.”
Waller said it was almost certain Fundido would trial in blinkers.
Asked what he made of the colt’s run, Waller replied: “I don’t know.
“Hopefully putting the blinkers on will give him some confidence before he goes up (to the Gold Coast) for the Magic Millions.”
Waller said the result wasn’t the total disaster it might have first looked.
“If there was a godsend … you don’t need to be leading in every race and he did settle well,” Waller said.
“We were probably just too confident and you can never be too confident in a Sydney two-year-old race.
“I’d have 50 or 60 two-year-olds and only my best ones are going to the races.
“I’m sure other (big) stables are doing the same.”
Sherocksmyworld, the Gai Waterhouse-trained filly who finished second to Epaulette after leading, is in to $26 for the Magic Millions on January 14.
AAP TURF
