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By Caryl Williamson
SYDNEY, Dec 14 AAP – While many young horses are fighting to get into the summer’s richest race, Faraway Town has already booked her place in the Magic Millions field.
But that doesn’t mean her trainer Matthew Smith is taking things too easy with her and the filly will run at Rosehill on Saturday to make sure she is ready for the trip to the Gold Coast.
Faraway Town won at the track three weeks ago to confirm a start in the $2 million Magic Millions (1200m) on January 9 with Smith looking to go one better than five years ago when Combat Kitty ran second to Karuta Queen.
“The pressure is off because she is already qualified,” Smith said.
“But this race fits in nicely because it’s three weeks before the race.
“Even though she doesn’t have to win to get into the Magic Millions I’d certainly like her to.
“She took a little bit of time to get over her last start when she had to contend with a heavy track but in those few weeks she has definitely improved.
“She is in great shape and has come through the preparation so far with no issues at all.”
Faraway Town is one of 17 entries for the 2YO Plate (1200m) and will be ridden on Saturday by the in-form Jason Collett who replaces the injured Jay Ford.
One of five jockeys hurt in a multiple horse fall in last Friday week’s Mudgee Cup, Ford is hoping his broken hand will mend quickly so he can get back on the filly at the Gold Coast.
Collett rode three outright winners and a dead heat at Randwick on Saturday to move to 26-1/2 metropolitan wins for the season, second on the Sydney premiership behind James McDonald (36).
Smith will also take Zin Zan Eddie to Rosehill hoping the six-year-old can improve on his two seconds at his past two starts when he runs in the Benchmark 93 (1400m).
“He’s going great and pulled up well from his last start,” Smith said.
“He is better on a wet track which he won’t get, but he will still run well.”
The race has been left open for late entries with just seven nominations taken on Monday.
