Magic Millions Classic Horses and Race Preview – 2018

The Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival is the birthplace of some of Australia’s best ever, with the sales producing the likes of Shoot Out, Atlantic Jewel, Pierro, Buffering, Redzel and racing Royalty Winx. This weekend, the Gold Coast Turf Club will host feature races Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and the much anticipated 2YO Magic Millions Classic. The card also includes the Magic Millions Cup, Magic Millions Sprint, Magic Millions Trophy and Magic Millions Plate. There will be a number of big names on show throughout the day as racing returns to the big stage.

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There has been plenty of speculation recently about the major contenders of the highlighted race, the 2YO Classic over 1200m. The listed race is worth almost 2 million, previously taken out by Everest starter Houtzen, as well as renowned stars Capitalist in 2016 and Phelan Ready in 2009. With this years winner well and truly up in the air, we preview each runner to use as your complete guide to the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

1. Jonker (3) 57kg

Spirit of Boom x Hearts and Arrows
Trainer: David Atkins
Jockey: Hugh Bowman

Jonker burst into favouritism for 2YO classic after his 4L win in the Wyong Magic Millions on the 21st of December. The Colt by Spirit of Boom out of Hearts and Arrows attracted attention after his 9L trial win at Beaumont Newcastle, before easily accounting for a field of 8 on debut at Newcastle, winning by 3L over 900m, running a smart 32.85 for the last 600m. Jonker was very impressive in the Wyong Magic Millions, running a time of 1:03.95 for the 1100m trip, recording a 34.85 for the final 600 and a very smart 10.88 split between the 600 and 400m mark. Jonker is the current $4.20 favourite with the TAB.

2. Ef Troop (18) 57kg

Spirit of Boom x Limealicios
Trainer: Tony Gollan
Jockey: Matthew McGillivray

McGillivray will be looking for win number 8 this season for Tony Gollan when combining in the 2YO classic on board Ef Troop. The gelding has had 2 trials with a combined winning aggregate of 28.5L including a 20L win at the Gold Coast on the 7th of December. Ef Troop is a listed winner, beating challenger South Australian Crockett by 5L in the Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben over 1110m. A real front-runner, Ef Troop ran a 1:03.69 in his most recent run, coming home in 33.17 for the final 600m. Remarkably, Ef Troop’s splits for the final 600 last time out were 10:84, 10:84 and 10:88, finishing off in 11:60 for the final 200m. Ef Troop will jump from barrier 14 after the omission of emergencies however is yet to run against more then 5 other runners. The current equal second-favourite, Ef Troop is currently paying $4.60 with the TAB.

3. Quackerjack (19) 57kg

Not a Single Doubt x Quack It
Trainer: Mark Newman
Jockey: Koby Jennings

Quackerjack finished 7L 11th of 11 on debut at Randwick in September behind Performer and Bondi, before finishing 7.3L last in a trial over in November. Quackerjack has since uncovered a bizarre turn-around in form, beating Skyray in a trial on November 28 before back-to-back victories at Kembla Grange and Randwick, including a 0.5L win on the 30th of December, coming from 5th at the 400 to triumph at a starting price of $21. Quackerjack’s time of 1:03.38 over 1100m is very competitive in this field and the colt can certainly be earmarked as a dark horse, with his time being slightly better then Ef Troop’s over 1110m. The chestnut ran a handy 10.76 split last time out between the 800 and 600 before coming home in 34.66. Quackerjack pays $31 fixed on the TAB.

4. Legislation (7) 57kg

Not a Single Doubt x Golden Edict
Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
Jockey: Damian Browne

Placed in 2 trials at Randwick and Warwick Farm before winning on debut over 1000m back on the 21st of October. Legislation finished 2L behind Quackerjack in his most recent run however his time of 1:03.68 is not humiliating and can improve. He ran some handy splits late over 1100m and the good draw helps out. Damian Browne will hope to settle him on the pace, similar to his 1L win at Randwick. Legislation currently pays $26 on the TAB.

5. Fullazaboot (21) 57kg

Sepoy x Fullazz
Trainer: Stuart Kendrick
Jockey: Tye Angland

Hard to gauge the capability of Fullazaboot, the colt has been unbeaten in trials at the Sunshine Coast and 3.5L winner at Doomben on debut. He was dragged through the mud on a heavy 10 in October in a meeting that was later abandoned, and again ran on a wet track when running 2nd to the clever Blue Book on December 9. Fullazaboot has one main advantage, that being he has run the distance (1200m) and has been made to work in the wet. It will be interesting to see how much he can improve on a good track however the widest draw will not help. The Stuart Kendrick trained galloper came from 6th at the 400 to run 0.8L 2nd in his last run, and should be given every chance if settling midfield with distance not a query. Fullazaboot is also $26 fixed with the TAB.

6. Crockett (10) 57kg

All American x Tuusula
Trainer: Tony McEvoy
Jockey: Jamie Kah

The South Australian colt needs to bounce back this weekend after a dismal showing last time out, finishing 7th of 11 over 1200m at Doomben, almost 5L behind Meryl. It is the 2nd consecutive race where Crockett has finished 5L off the winner after being blitzed by Ef Troop on December 16. Crockett couldn’t ask for a better jockey/trainer partnership however, with superstar Jamie Kah already racking up 21 winners for Tony McEvoy in the 2017-18 season, placing at 72.7%. The current $31 shot was a 2L winner at Morphetville on the 11th of October will likely settle off pace from barrier 10. It will be the second attempt at 1200m for Crockett.

7. Bondi (20) 57kg

Snitzel x Bondi Blonde
Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
Jockey: Blake Shinn

Bondi is yet to win a race however is a dual trial winner as well as placing in front of Witherspoon in an 845m trial at Wyong. No slouch at all however, the bay colt was a runner up to Performer in the listed Breeders Plate at Randwick in September and was also placed behind Jonker in the Wyong Magic Millions. His time of 0:56.92 over 1000m was not slow by any means, getting home in 33.96 for the final 600m recording consecutive sub 11-second splits in the process. His run over 1100m in the Wyong Magic Millions was also above average, finishing in 1:04.84 however could not go with Jonker in the end. Bondi is currently $15 on the early markets with the TAB.

8. Skyray (8) 57kg

Smart Missile x Distinctive
Trainer: Clarry Connors
Jockey: Jason Collett

The colt had 3 trials before making his debut in the Wyong Magic Millions, winning 2 and placing in one. Skyray was the runner up to Jonker in the race on the 21st of December, reaping good place dividends after starting at $21. Interestingly, he ran one second faster when running 6th of 12, 2.6L Quackerjack on the 30th of December, coming home slightly better when running 34.66 for the final 600 in the latter, as opposed to the 34.85 in the Wyong Magic Millions, perhaps indicating how well Quackerjack is travelling. Skyray is currently a $31 chance with TAB.

9. Meryl (5) 55kg

Epaulette x Academy Idol
Trainer: Lee Curtis
Jockey: Christian Reith

The filly is $101 into $15 after her win on the 30th of December at Doomben in Group 3 B.J. McLaughlin Stakes over 1200m. Perhaps gaining a huge advantage over the rest of the field, Meryl is a winner over the 1200m distance and an impressive winner at that. She sat on the pace to record a 0.75L victory over Toowoomba gun Hopes Eternal and Witherspoon. Her only other run was 6th of 16 at Randwick back on the 30th of September however has evidently improved since after a 1L trial victory on the 22nd of December at Rosehill before her Doomben win. Impressively, Meryl ran consecutive sub 11-second splits in her run over 1200m, running a 10.62 between the 1000 and 800, followed by a 10.88 between the 800 and 600. She could employ similar tactics this weekend and be somewhere around the front coming to the finish line.

10. Secret Lady (11) 55kg

Choisir x For Your Eyes Only
Trainer: Gary Portelli
Jockey: Ben Melham

Another filly with good form coming out of the 1100m race won by Quackerjack on the 30th of December. She finished with a time of 1:03.63 and 34.66 for the final 600m, running 2nd in the end. Gary Portelli’s galloper was very strong early on, running a 10.56 split between the 800 and 600, leading at the 400m before being run down by Quackerjack. Secret Lady was a 1.3L winner at Rosehill on the 25th of November, as well as runner up on debut at the same track on November 11. She has a best time of 1:03.40 for the 1100m journey, as good as anything in the race bar Sunlight. Secret Lady is at present an $18 shot fixed with the TAB.

11. Sunlight (15) 55kg

Zoustar x Solar Charged
Trainer: Tony McEvoy
Jockey: Luke Currie

All of the buzz is about Sunlight following her most recent 4.5L victory at the Gold Coast over 1100m, finishing in a blistering time of 1:02.48 after starting $1.50 favourite. It was the second consective victory for the filly, winning in style at the Gold Coast over 900m on December 23, romping it in by 4.75L in a sweltering 32.20 for the final 600. Sunlight has won both trials to date, defeating fellow runner Outback Barbie at the Gold Coast in the latest. Sunlight has some serious speed to burn and like Ef Troop, I do not think we’ve seen the best of her yet. Her final split for 900m race at the Gold Coast was 10.76, hitting the finish line at 66.71 kp/h thus reassuring her followers she will relish the 1200m trip. Sunlight’s only defeat to date was at the hands of Nomothaj over the straight at Flemington back on the 7th of October. Sunlight sits second favourite in the betting at $4.40 on TAB fixed.

12. Nomothaj (2) 55kg

Snitzel x Real Stolle
Trainer: David & B Hayes & T Dabernig
Jockey: Stephen Baster

Just the one run so far for Nomothaj on the 7th of October, defeating Ranier and one of the betting front-runners Sunlight in the listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington over 1000m. For the real sectional analysers, Nomothaj’s 33.12 for the last 600 over 1000m was better then Sunlight’s 33.20 over 900, making for a very interesting battle come Saturday. Nomothaj’s 10.08 split during that very race would be the best in the field if not for Sunlight however, who ran a 10.06 in the same race with Nomothaj getting the better of Sunlight who weakened to finish 3rd on the occasion. Nomothaj was 4th in a Rosehill trial on the 22nd of December, 5.2L behind 1200m-race winner Meryl before the filly won her most recent trial at Randwick on December 29. Nomothaj certainly has the speed but distance will certainly be a query after dropping off before hitting the line when winning her only race. There is plenty of value about Nomothaj with the straight race winner currently $11 fixed on the TAB.

13. Outback Barbie (6) 55kg

Spirit of Boom x Pure Perfection
Trainer: Tony Gollan

Just the one trial so far for Outback Barbie, 0.1L off Sunlight at the Gold Coast on the 7th of December. The bay filly was a 0.4L winner in her only start, going past Granny Red Shoes and Witherspoon to score in the listed Calway Gal Stakes over 1110m at Doomben on the 16th of December. Her time of 1:04.32 was considerably slower to that of Ef Troop over the same distance on the same day, coming home in a modest 34.66 for the final 600m. Outback Barbie is a listed winner however and is given some hope from a good draw. She is now $26 to win on the TAB.

14. Anthemoessa (4) 55kg

Trainer: Matt Cumani
Jockey: Jordan Childs

Possibly the best chance at odds, 2-year-old filly Anthemoessa has had no public trials however was a runner up to La Pomme de Pin in the Ballarat Magic Millions on a wet track in November, before running 1L 2nd behind Ollivander at Caulfield on December 16. Anthemoessa’s 1:03.80 for the 1100m trip was not disappointing with the winner recording a handy 1:03.41. Anthemoessa has sat just off the pace in both runs so far and the easy draw should allow her to do that again, however yet to set her out to 1200m. Matt Cumani’s runner joins a bulk of the field already at $26 on the TAB fixed.

15. Witherspoon (12) 55kg

Trainer: Brad Widdup
Jockey: Corey Brown

The Chestnut filly was just never in it on debut in a listed race at Randwick on the 30th of September, setting around 10th but only managing 8th of 16, 3 and a half-lengths off Satin Slipper when starting favourite. She was then placed 3rd behind Outback Barbie in the listed Calway Gal at Doomben over 1110m, as well as placing in the Group 3 B.J. McLaughlin on December 30 when adopting a change in tactics and leading before fading to be caught by Meryl and Hopes Eternal. The main advantage for Witherspoon being previously tried at 1200 however going off times she may struggle, remembering though she is placed in group company. Witherspoon is now out to $31 on the TAB.

16. Whisky Shooter (9) 55kg

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark

Came from 5th at the 400 to score in her only start at Canterbury on the 5th of January. She ran a 1:05.60 for the 1100m trip (more then 4 seconds slower then Sunlight) and completed the final 600 in 36 seconds flat. It is expected she will be fitter for this run and can improve however has some lengths to make up to be competitive. Whisky Shooter is the roughest chance in the field, sitting at $51 to win the Magic Millions 2YO classic with the TAB.