Champion trainer Tony Gollan will give his $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender Itchintogo a lead-up run seven days out from the Gold Coast feature as he looks to “take the edge” off the keen youngster.
The lightly raced gelding, purchased for $60,000, was last seen scoring a Listed victory in the Phelan Ready at Doomben on December 6, where he raced keenly throughout the contest.
Gollan said Itchintogo has continued to show similar traits in his work since that win, prompting the decision to give him another run before tackling the 1200-metre Magic Millions feature.
With the Magic Millions 2YO Classic his primary target, Gollan will send Itchintogo to the Gold Coast on Saturday to contest the Gold Nugget, a $150,000 race over 1100 metres, despite the gelding already having secured his place in the Magic Millions field.
“I want to use this to try to take the edge off him a bit for the following week,” Gollan said.
“He was a bit keen in his last win at the 1110m at Doomben and I jumped him out the other day and he was a bit keen in the jump-out again.
“He wasn’t an expensive horse but he is a real little racehorse, he is just a little bit too racy at times.
“To get the 1200m strongly on Magic Millions day, he has just got to execute things a bit better.”
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic has been a race Gollan long targeted before breaking through with Skirt The Law in 2023, and Itchintogo is now aiming to provide the stable with a second victory in the event.
Currently an $18 chance in betting for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Gollan believes the gelding has the talent to be competitive on the big day if he can improve his racing manners.
