Jockey Tim Bell has warned rivals who might doubt two-year-old speed machine Celestial Dragon as a genuine chance in the Magic Millions Classic.
Celestial Dragon ($6) showed sizzling pace to lead all the way to beat Burleigh Bullet ($12) by 1-1/4 lengths with a short half-head to Devine Service ($3) in the Racing Retro Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The colt, who has won his only two starts, is now safely in the $2 million Classic field on January 11 after taking his prize money to $112,000 of which $64,000 counts towards qualifying for the Gold Coast race.
Celestial Dragon - Tim Bell - Photo by Daniel Costello
Bell is yet to commit to riding Celestial Dragon in the Magic Millions but he gave an indication he wasn’t far off making a decision.
“I do have other offers but this horse is now in the field,” Bell said.
“He is a real professional and don’t worry about him being just a speed horse.
“I would love to see him be able to sit behind a few horses and then run on. I think he could find a few more lengths.”
Celestial Dragon, a $10,000 yearling by underrated sire Hidden Dragon, is one of nine horses trainer Stu Kendrick has for the Darby Racing syndicate.
“They are good clients and it will be my first Magic Millions runner,” Kendrick said.
Kendrick, who relocated from Mackay to Caloundra in February, only returned from a holiday boat cruise on Friday and paid tribute to the work his staff had done with Celestial Dragon.
Trainer Jason McLachlan will make a decision early next week on whether to push on to the Millions with Devine Service.
