Jockey Chris Munce declared two-year-old Wicked Intent was versatile enough to win the Magic Millions Classic after his easy win at Doomben on Saturday.
Wicked Intent, the $1.45 favourite, confirmed his place as the ruling favourite for the Classic at the Gold Coast on January 10 with the easiest of wins.
Wicked Intent – Chris Munce
Munce eased down Wicked Intent to score by 4-1/4 lengths in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1050m), a traditional lead-up to the Magic Millions.
“This horse has just continued to improve since he came into work in September. The big thing about him is he is so adaptable.”
“He can lead or he can sit on the pace. It is exactly the type of horse you need to win the Magic Millions,” Munce said.
The champion jockey knows what he is talking about as he has won the Classic on Sunblazer, Exellerator and Dance Hero.
Wicked Intent, which cost only $16,000 and is trained by Munce’s father-in-law Barry Mitchell, will have one more run before the Magic Millions.
Mitchell said Wicked Intent would run in the BJ McLachlan Stakes at the Gold Coast on December 27 .
“That should top him off nicely for the big race. This horse just keeps surprising us with his improvement run after run,” Mitchell said.
Trainer Liam Birchley got quick compensation for the poor run of his galloper Hot Snippety in Sydney when Flamenco on the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes.
Flamenco, who was having her first start, ran 0.8secs slower than Wicked Intent but Birchley believes the filly has plenty of improvement.
“I have had a lot of luck with her family who all handle the wet. She will go straight into the Magic Millions now,” Birchley said.
The in-form trainer already has the smart Pepperano in the Millions.
