Gillian Heinrich has postponed Sunset Affair’s bid to become her third Magic Millions Classic contender next month.
The Gold Coast based Heinrich won the Magic Millions Classic on her home track with Military Rose in 2010 and has Military Bride and Pure Whisper already qualified for next month’s $2 million feature.
Heinrich originally planned to start Sunset Affair in the Listed Calaway Gal (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday but the filly has now been reserved for the Group Three B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on the same track a fortnight later.
Pure Whisper will return in the Calaway Gal Stakes with Damian Browne retaining the ride.
She qualified for the 1200m Magic Millions Classic with an impressive victory on debut at Doomben on November 5.
“I’m very happy with Pure Whisper. She hasn’t raced for over a month but she’s really coming along well after taking her to the beach for a couple of weeks,” Heinrich said.
Pure Whisper is set for a showdown with exciting filly Snipzu in the Calaway Gal.
The Liam Birchley-trained Snipzu finished second on debut in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick in October before returning home to win her past two starts by big margins.
The decision not to start Sunset Affair in the Calaway Gal Stakes means she will clash with her stablemate Military Bride in the B J McLachlan Stakes.
Sunset Affair, a $45,000 buy, has only $2000 prize money and will need to win the B J McLachlan Stakes to guarantee her place as Heinrich’s third Magic Millions runner.
At her only start, the daughter of Exceed And Excel was a fast finishing fourth to Optionality at Doomben on November 19.
“I’m waiting another two weeks with Sunset Affair and unfortunately she’ll have to line up against Military Bride in the B J McLachlan,” Heinrich said.
“She’s coming along well and if she’s good enough she’ll win and get into the Magic Millions.
“I’d love to have a third runner.
“I could have started Military Bride on Saturday as well but I don’t want to overtax her.
“The B J McLachlan will be her third run and the Magic Millions her fourth which is plenty for a filly.”
Heinrich isn’t prepared at this stage to compare any of her 2012 Magic Millions Classic hopefuls with her former star Military Rose.
“Military Rose went into the Magic Millions unbeaten in three runs and none of these have gone anywhere near that,” she said.
AAP TURF
