Murt The Flirt has earned another trip to the Gold Coast Magic Millions day with trainer Brendan McCarthy hoping for a little more luck with the barriers this time around.
The gelding resumed with a win at Ballarat on Saturday, one of four winners over three days for McCarthy’s Melbourne stable.
The gelding finished fifth in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) for three-year-olds at the Gold Coast early this year and the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) is the race McCarthy has in his sights in January with the son of Murtajill.
“He wasn’t beaten that far in the Magic Millions Guineas last year and he drew the outside,” McCarthy said.
“I reckon he’s that much bigger and stronger this time, he’s only just matured now.
“I think he’ll get a lot of improvement out of his first-up run so that’s a real positive heading forward. So I think we’ll be in it with a realistic chance.”
Murt The Flirt won the $100,000 Ballarat Magic Millions 3YO Classic (1100m) on debut a year ago and claimed the corresponding race first-up on Saturday with this year’s race also open to four-year-olds.
McCarthy wanted to see the gelding win on Saturday to warrant another trip to the Gold Coast and was thrilled with the way Murt The Flirt came through his first-up run.
“A lot of the time first-up, especially after a pretty exertive run, they are a bit flat but he’s pulled up extremely well,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said he hadn’t yet decided on a lead-up race to the Queensland feature.
Murt The Flirt competed in a Magic Millions race at Wyong in NSW on his way to the Gold Coast last year and that’s an option again next month.
“I wouldn’t even mind going to Sydney and following a similar pattern as last year. Even if there’s a race in Sydney, I think that would fit in well,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy trained a double at Cranbourne on Friday night and notched another winner at Kilmore on Sunday.
