Mark Kavanagh has stoked the fires of interstate rivalry, declaring Victorian filly Alezan Thunder a genuine Magic Millions contender.
Sydney trainer John O’Shea, who will start Hoss Amor in Saturday’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast, has been widely quoted as declaring his filly one of only three chances.
O’Shea said he rated the BJ McLachlan Stakes quinella of Driefontein and Sizzling as hard to beat, adding “the rest are kidding, I think”.
Fuelled by that statement, Kavanagh took the opportunity to press his filly’s credentials during an interview with Sky Channel’s Andrew Bensley, a part-owner of Hoss Amor.
“She got a little lost down the straight Melbourne Cup day but I thought she had a pretty good chance,” Kavanagh said on Sky Channel.
“I read that we’re `kidding’ coming to the races here.
“Well, we’re here and we’re not kidding.”
Alezan Thunder has won two of her three starts, the latest an emphatic 3-3/4-length victory over 900m at Sandown on Christmas Eve.
A $17 chance with TAB Sportsbet, she will be ridden by Michael Rodd and has drawn barrier nine.
Sydney-trained horses dominate markets and comprise five of the top six horses in betting.
Queenslander Sizzling, the $3.70 second pick behind Driefontein ($3.20 fav), is considered the best of the locals while the Tony McEvoy-trained Little Critter ($61) will fly the flag for South Australia.
Kavanagh said the state of origin atmosphere was good for the industry.
“This year we sort of have state rivalry,” Kavanagh said.
“It’s the Queenslanders against NSW, the Victorians shouldn’t have even bothered coming, nor should the South Australian.
“But it’s very good to see the support we’ve got Australia-wide.
“It’s not very often you get four-state representatives.”
AAP TURF
