A run-of-the-mill Sydney two-year-old event has been picked out as a Magic Millions consolation race for Queensland youngster Grand Business.
Grand Business was entered for Saturday’s juvenile race at Rosehill when it became obvious to trainer Norm Hilton the horse would be a borderline case for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic field.
Sold twice through the Magic Millions sale ring, Grand Business has been listed as the fourth emergency for the Gold Coast feature.
“He got a bit closer to getting into the field than I thought he would but it’s still only a remote chance he’ll get a run.
“Fourth reserve will get me into the (Magic Millions) party but not into the race.”
Once it becomes apparent Grand Business has little chance of running at the Gold Coast, Hilton says he will put the Phelan Ready Stakes placegetter on a float to Sydney.
“I want to run him this weekend because he’s ready to go now,” Hilton said.
Grand Business was sold for $40,000 as a yearling and then he fetched $180,000 at the Magic Millions horses-in-training sale.
“I prepared him for the horses-in-training sale and was lucky enough to keep him to train,” Hilton said.
Grand Business made an instant impression at the races when he finished third to Noogoora Burr on debut in the Phelan Ready Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.
The colt could manage no closer than midfield in the Group Three McLachlan Stakes behind high profile Magic Millions contenders Driefontein and Sizzling but Hilton is expecting improvement at Rosehill.
“I probably threw him in the deep end a bit but having said that he might have been a bit flat after his first run,” Hilton said.
“He’s learning all the time and he’s bounced off the Eagle Farm run pretty well.”
Hilton is hoping Saturday’s trip will be the forerunner to an autumn return with the stable’s Group One performer Bold Glance.
“He’s back in work and I’m setting him for the George Ryder (Stakes) and the Doncaster (Mile) again,” the trainer said.
Bold Glance made a name for himself when third behind Sacred Choice and Love Conquers All in last year’s Doncaster Mile.
AAP TURF
