Contenders in three of the Magic Millions feature races on Saturday week passed barrier trial tests at Rosehill on Friday.
Magic Millions Guineas favourite Safusa kept his march towards the $1 million event ticking over with an easy trial victory while two-year-old Fundido got his campaign back on track, striding along in his 900m heat to win by 2-1/2 lengths with winkers on.
And trainer Gerald Ryan confirmed four-year-old Top Drop would be on the float with younger stablemate Amorino on Monday night after passing his test at the barriers in his heat.
Top Drop was ordered back to the trials after Monday’s Carrington Stakes and needed to behave himself and trial well to continue to the Magic Millions Cup and avoid being gelded.
“He’s passed and he’ll go up to the Gold Coast,” Ryan said after the son of Snitzel finished second to Diamond Jim in a 1030m trial with Kerrin McEvoy aboard.
“We put a barrier blanket on him this morning and he was heaps better. He trialled good, in slow time, but Kerrin said he felt terrific. Nash Rawiller will ride him at the Gold Coast.”
Chris Waller said it was all systems go for Fundido to progress to the $2 million Magic Millions Classic, where he’ll wear winkers like he did in his trial.
Fundido went to the races with a boom on him and scored on debut at Rosehill last month.
He then disappointed second-up as favourite when fifth on Boxing Day at the same track.
“He trialled well today,” jockey Glyn Schofield said.
“He had something putting pressure on him the whole way and he wanted to get mobile. He’s on track for next week.
“Today we just wanted to make sure he hadn’t lost anything.”
Safusa, winner of the Wyong Magic Millions 3YO Stakes, could give trainer David Pfieffer his second Magic Millions Guineas win in three years and jockey Jay Ford believes the gelding is right on target.
“He does so well between races and Dave wanted to give him the trial today to keep him ticking over and blow a few cobwebs out before next week,” Ford said.
“He feels great, he’s bouncing out of his skin and trialled accordingly.
“He trialled really well and everything is looking good for the Gold Coast.”
The trial session also featured the return of dual Group One winner Rangirangdoo who hasn’t started since winning the George Ryder Stakes last autumn.
The gelding had a soft trial and is being aimed at an Expressway Stakes return next month.
AAP TURF
