One of the feature races at the Gold Coast this Saturday is the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m), where Ninja has stifled betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
2026 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Runner Preview:
1. Ninja: If Ninja repeats what he did in the Vo Rogue, they won’t beat him. Simple as that. The last time a horse produced something similar, she went on to win 30-odd races on the bounce, four Cox Plates and is regarded by some as the greatest ever. Ninja isn’t her, but that win was something else. He just has to run up to that effort — even come off it slightly. The only concern is the awful gate.
2. O’Ole: Was okay in the Vo Rogue but can’t see her turning the tables on Ninja.
3. Damien: Slight query at 1400m but he’s a genuine animal for Kris Lees. Did a bit too much early work in the Vo Rogue and the tough run told late behind Nitro. With a more patient ride, he can run first four.
4. Torque To Be Sure: Can only assume he’s here for the prizemoney and to boost his rating for the Country Championships. Loaded with talent and game last Saturday, but upstairs he’s still learning. He can win, but he’d be $1.10 in a maiden.
5. Saxobushi: Loved the way he let down to win at Eagle Farm last start, but J Collett off for A Mallyon is a hard pass for mine.
6. Spanish Treasure: Not sure he beat much in the Maiden last Saturday, but he made a mess of them and was dominant from the front. Good racing style and could pinch a first-four spot.
7. Benevac: Nice horse but don’t think he’s up to this level.
8. Cellarmaster: Progressive and heading the right way but not quite ready for this.
9. Jimmy’s Brother: Would be hard to beat over 1100m–1200m, but 1400m at this level is too much too soon.
10. Memo: The one I want to back each way. It was the classic Snowden lead-up run to a Grand Final in the Gosford Guineas — off speed, held up, no real intent to win and worked to the line behind Caffe Florian, regarded as a Group 1 filly. She’ll love the step to 1400m and has the quality to run a beauty.
11. Icarian Dream: Is she much good? Closed off behind Grafterburners in the Gold Edition but was never a real threat. The 1400m is a query and she looks too short.
12. Recuperato: Not up to these.
13. Dragonne Rouge: Above-average filly who was okay in the Nudgee. Doubt she wins, but she could sneak into the first four.
14. Hi Barbie: Was okay in the Vo Rogue but isn’t turning the tables on Ninja.
15. Adorable Thought: Hard to line up. Arrogant win first-up, then thrown into the deep end in the Vo Rogue and ran out of her skin. Maps to do no work and is a must for exotics.
16. Crash The Party: Needs to be in a maiden.
17. Norty Forty: First-up here — huge ask. Pass.
2026 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Memo
Magic Millions Guineas Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NINJA | Michael Freedman | Tommy Berry | 17 | 57kg |
| 2 | O’ OLE | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 10 | 56kg |
| 3 | DAMIEN | Kris Lees | Zac Lloyd | 5 | 56kg |
| 4 | TORQUE TO BE SURE | Matthew Dunn | Ben Melham | 15 | 56kg |
| 5 | SAXOBUSHI | Kris Lees | Andrew Mallyon | 9 | 56kg |
| 6 | SPANISH TREASURE | Tony Gollan | Ryan Maloney | 12 | 56kg |
| 7 | BENEVAC | Ciaron Maher | Tim Clark | 3 | 56kg |
| 8 | CELLARMASTER (NZ) | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Damian Lane | 11 | 56kg |
| 9 | JIMMY’S BROTHER | David Vandyke | Ms Angela Jones | 7 | 56kg |
| 10 | MEMO | Peter Snowden | James McDonald | 8 | 55kg |
| 11 | ICARIAN DREAM | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 4 | 55kg |
| 12 | RECUPERATO | Peter Gelagotis | Ben Thompson | 14 | 55kg |
| 13 | DRAGONNE ROUGE | Shaun Dwyer | Michael Rodd | 6 | 54.5kg |
| 14 | HI BARBIE | Tony Gollan | Craig Williams | 13 | 54.5kg |
| 15 | ADORABLE THOUGHT | Barry Lockwood & Emma-Jane Vincent | Robbie Dolan | 1 | 54kg |
| 16 | CRASH THE PARTY | Toby Edmonds | Daniel Moor | 16 | 54kg |
| 17 | NORTY FORTY | Kevin Kemp | Ms Rachel King | 2 | 54kg |
Magic Millions Guineas Odds
2026 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Speed Map
Spanish Treasure speared across to lead and win the Maiden last Saturday and looks likely to lead again. Adorable Thought and Norty Forty should settle handy from inside gates, likewise Damien. The key tactical question is whether they roll the dice and go forward on Ninja or rely on luck by going back from the wide gate.
