Queensland’s leading Magic Millions contenders Sizzling and Snipzu were upstaged by two unraced youngsters from the powerful Patinack Farm stable in barrier trials at Doomben on Tuesday.
Fastnet Rock filly Nechita, a $130,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales, came from behind to edge out star colt Sizzling by a long head in an 810-metre trial.
The following trial saw Sookie, a daughter of Casino Prince, easily account for the Liam Birchley-trained Snipzu by 1-1/4 lengths.
Patinack Farm unveiled 15 Magic Millions contenders in three barrier trial heats and Nechita and Sookie were easily the star performers.
Nechita ran the slightly faster time of the pair clocking 50.66 seconds, one hundredth of a second quicker than Sookie.
Despite their defeats, neither Birchley nor Sizzling’s trainer Kelso Wood were concerned.
Snipzu, a winner of two of her three starts including a seven-length victory on a heavy track at Eagle Farm, was having her first serious hitout since returning from a three-week break following her win at Eagle Farm on October 22.
“She had a good blow and carried around 65 kilos with Alan Russell aboard and she wore heavy shoes,” Birchley said.
“It was a nice gallop and she’s ready to run on Saturday week in the (Listed) Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm.”
Birchley, who was a keen onlooker when rival Sizzling trialled earlier, is looking to break his frustrating Magic Millions drought after years of trying.
Birchley’s best Magic Millions result was with Paprika who was runner-up to subsequent Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready in 2009.
“I’m happy with Snipzu and she can handle any type of track,” Birchley said.
“I watched Sizzling and thought he trialled okay but the proof as to who is the better will come when they clash in the Bruce McLachlan in a few weeks.”
Patinack Farm stable foreman Brett Killion is amazed by the rapid improvement from Nechita.
“She’s jumped out of the ground in the past two weeks. Before that she was just poking along,” Killion said.
“She’ll probably kick off against Snipzu in the Calaway Gal on Saturday week and then her prizemoney will dictate whether she needs to have another run before the Magic Millions.
“There wasn’t much between her and Sookie and both were very impressive.”
AAP TURF
