Trainer Kelso Wood is considering a gear change for Magic Millions Classic favourite Sizzling ahead of the colt’s next assignment in the Group Three BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Saturday week.
Sizzling failed to keep in touch in the early stages of his second race appearance before finishing strongly to go down narrowly to Noogoora Burr in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Despite the defeat, Sizzling retains favouritism at $4 with TAB Sportsbet for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Neither Wood nor jockey Chris Munce were disappointed with Sizzling’s effort and both feel the son of Snitzel will be better suited when he steps out to 1200 metres for the first time in the McLachlan Stakes.
“He’s been working in winkers and I’ve thought about putting blinkers or winkers on him but they may make things worse,” Wood said.
“I haven’t got that much time to decide so I don’t know yet what to do.
“He’s such a laid-back colt he may not need them.”
Wood is likely to experiment with blinkers on Sizzling in a gallop at Eagle Farm on Saturday morning.
“I’ll use blinkers in a gallop, probably on Saturday morning but I don’t want to overdo it.”
While Sizzling kept his place at the head of Magic Millions Classic markets, the big movers have been Noogoora Burr and Discreet, winner of the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm.
The David Lawlor-trained Noogoora Burr is the current leading qualifier with $96,000 after extending his unbeaten record in the Phelan Ready Stakes.
Snipzu, third in the Calaway Gal Stakes to Discreet, has earned $94,000 but has blown out to a $15 chance.
Trainer Liam Birchley is hoping Snipzu will be his first Magic Millions winner after Paprika ran second as favourite to Phelan Ready in 2009.
The Kelly Schweida-trained Discreet is the new $5 second favourite for the Magic Millions Classic following her outstanding win in the Calaway Gal Stakes.
Meanwhile, Wood is hoping for a good barrier draw for Zero Rock’s bid to claim successive Listed Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
“She’s got a task with that weight on her back but a good barrier will help,” Wood said.
Zero Rock has topweight of 58 kilograms in the 1350-metre feature, three kilos more than she carried to victory last year.
Takeover Target is the modern benchmark for the race, winning with 60.5kg when he romped home in 2005 while Natural Destiny had 56kg on his way to winning the triple crown in 2006.
AAP TURF
