2YO’s on show again at Doomben

Just 14 days out from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast, a number of hopefuls will line up this Saturday in the Magic Millions B.J. McLaughlin Stakes over 1200m at Doomben.

Trained by Chris Waller, Snitzel colt Orcein is the current $3.30 favourite with the TAB, also currently $11 in the futures markets for the 2YO Magic Millions Classic. Yet to miss a place in 2 starts, Orcein was 1.8L off Secret Lady in November before finishing 1.5L 2nd behind gun Godolphin runner Gongs at Rosehill Gardens on the 9th of December, where he came from 7th with a big run.

Orcein will be challenged by John Zielke trained Hopes Eternal, who got off to a flying start to his career with 2 massive wins before lacking the speed to go with Ef Troop last time out. South Australian Crockett was also a runner up to Ef Troop last run and will have a better shot a them without the likes of the $4.50 2YO Classic favourite.

Sepoy colt Fullazaboot has too attracted some support, gaining an advantage over most of the field, who are yet to be tested over the 1200m journey. Stuart Kendrick’s galloper was an easy winner by 3L on debut when defeating Acceptita on a heavy 10 in October.

Current $26 dollar shot for the 2YO classic Witherspoon rounds out the obvious chances after finishing 0.7L off Outback Barbie last time out. The filly by Exceed and Excel came from the middle of the field at the 400m mark to just miss and will relish the rise in distance.

Current favourite Jonker and Queenslander Ef Troop have been marked as the ones to beat, although both yet to run 1200m have set the benchmark with Ef Troop running a slightly better time over 1100m (1:03.69) to Jonker’s 1:03.95.

This race will be another good indicator in terms of where each 2-year-olds is at in the lead up to the 2YO classic in January. In comparison to times run by current favourites over 1100m, Witherspoon and Crockett should be somewhere near the front when approaching the final 100m.

The race is somewhat difficult to map with most runners only having limited starts between 900 and 1200m, however both Witherspoon and Crockett have shown good capability over 1100. Witherspoon recorded a 1:04.24 and Crocket a 1:04.28, 5L behind Ef Troop.

Orcein is currently $11 with the TAB in the market for the 2YO classic, with Crockett, Witherspoon and Fullazaboot all $26.

View the market here: