A trip to the Gold Coast for a rich Magic Millions race is on offer for Miss Altair at Caulfield Heath.
The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained three-year-old filly runs in the Magic Millions Vic 3YO & 4YO Classic (1200m) on Saturday.
Ben Hayes said a positive showing from Miss Altair will see the filly head to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on January 11.
Miss Altair is raced in an all-female ownership group and will be running for an additional $250,000 on top of the $3 million prize money on offer on the Gold Coast.
The $250,000 bonus is broken down and offered to the first four all-female owned, or leased, horses across the line Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Ben Hayes said it was a great incentive for Miss Altair to race for some good prize money, irrespective of where she finishes on the Gold Coast.
“She’s a lady’s horse, so she qualifies for the $250,000 bonus in the Guineas race up there so hopefully she can win on Saturday and head in that direction,” Hayes said.
“She’s a (daughter of) Capitalist, but she’s a lengthy good-looking horse and in all her races she has run through the line.
“She’s been nice and strong so I think 1400 (metres) will be no problems fourth-up, but she has to win on Saturday though.”
Miss Altair is unbeaten in two starts this campaign, both at 1200 metres, when up on the speed, and with Daniel Stackhouse missing the meeting, Craig Williams takes over in the saddle.
And Hayes does not mind the fact the Caulfield Heath track has been favouring on-pacers since its return to racing.
“The filly’s first two runs this prep have been good, and she improved again second-up and her work into the race has been excellent,” Hayes said.
“She’s drawn a nice barrier in barrier two on the Heath track and she’s showing good natural gate speed every time and being a three-year-old she gets a nice lightweight.
“So, I think it looks a suitable race for her.”
