Fundido will be out to cement his claims to next month’s Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic when he strives to make it two wins from as many starts at Rosehill on Monday.
The Chris Waller-trained colt lived up to his barrier trial form with a resounding victory over the highly-touted Lyric in an 1100m race at Rosehill on December 3.
Waller nominated him for the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) last Thursday but elected to bypass that race in favour of the Boxing Day assignment.
“I wanted to give him a run over 1200 metres,” Waller said.
“I haven’t had to do much with him since his last run. He’s a real natural.
“I expect improvement from him in terms of experience and fitness.”
Fundido is a $9 chance for the rich Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast with TAB Sportsbet.
Waller confirmed that race remained the colt’s target provided he ran up to expectations on Monday and came through it unscathed.
Waller’s only previous runner in the two-year-old Gold Coast feature was Fast ‘n’ Sexy who finished sixth to Karuta Queen in this year’s renewal.
Fundido, to be ridden by Glyn Schofield, is one of three Waller-trained entries in Monday’s Australian Turf Club Handicap (1200m).
Stablemate and first starter Hawkspur is likely to run although General Nick is also nominated for Gosford on Thursday and Waller is tempted to go that way.
Hawkspur is by first season sire Purrealist and has been placed in both his trials.
“He’s probably not up to Fundido just yet but being his home track it’s a good starting point for him,” Waller said.
General Nick is out of Waller’s former handy mare Miss Nikki and has inherited some of her traits according to the trainer.
“She had a few habits and he’s got them too, like biting,” Waller said.
Waller will also saddle up Strike One in the feature Summer Cup (2400m) and is hoping he can bounce back from his dismal performance in the Christmas Cup when he was beaten more than 20 lengths.
“He did a similar thing last year. He failed in the Christmas Cup, trialled and bounced back to run second in the Summer Cup,” Waller said.
“We will ride him a bit quieter on Monday.”
AAP TURF
