Cao Cao could bypass Magic Millions Classic for the Blue Diamond
The Magic Millions might come too soon for impressive Moonee Valley winner Cao Cao with his trainer looking at the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes a few weeks later.
Mick Price indicated after the colt’s strong win at Moonee Valley on Saturday he was likely to head to the sales-restricted $2 million Magic Millions at the Gold Coast on January 14.
A day later, Price said after inspecting Cao Cao, he thought it might be the right time to give him a break and instead target the Blue Diamond Stakes in late February.
He said he wold discuss the options with Cao Cao’s owners, Sun Bloodstock.
“I’m not sure whether I’ve got enough horse left to go to the Magic Millions or not,” Price told RSN927.
“I had a brief chat to Sun Stud yesterday and they were sort of thinking, ‘which way do you go?’ Do you go to the Magic Millions or do you go to the Blue Diamond?
“Just timing wise I think it would be beneficial for that horse to have a little bit of a breather.
“So I’ll probably have to sit down with them during the week and just give an opinion and see what they want to do.
“But I think, what I saw this morning with him, that he would be better off having a break and setting him for the Blue Diamond.
Cao Cao picked up strongly in the straight on Saturday to win the 1000m race by 2-3/4 lengths at his second start.
Earlier this month he finished second to Aspect in the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.
Cao Cao was a $350,000 yearling at this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions sale.
