The prizemoney of the Magic Millions Classic may yet prove too tempting for trainer Pat Duff who has warned Holey Gadoley won’t be rushed into the Gold Coast feature even if the youngster wins at Doomben on Saturday.
Duff has tried only a handful of times to win January’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic and to date his scorecard is zero.
“I’ve only had a couple of starters and I’m yet to be placed in it,” Duff said.
“My best effort was with Motor City who ran sixth (to Brave Warrior in 1994).”
Duff has a good opinion of Holey Gadoley who was held up for a run when runner-up to Snipzu at Eagle Farm last week.
“He’s on a quick back up and has to prove he can do it but I’m not concerned by that at all,” Duff said.
“Snipzu was just too good for him last week.”
Duff also isn’t overly concerned about trying to qualify Holey Gadoley for the Magic Millions with $17,000 already banked.
“They didn’t need that much money to qualify last year so he’s probably already qualified,” Duff said.
“I’ll let him tell me if he’s worth heading to the Magic Millions but it’s not a priority.
“I’ll rate him after Saturday’s race to see if he’s up to the Magic Millions but it’s not definite he’ll head that way.”
Duff already has a Magic Millions feature victory after winning the 2008 Magic Millions Trophy with Heart Of The Citi.
Duff has retained jockey Mandy Radecker for Holey Gadoley.
Radecker’s city opportunities have been restricted in recent years since winning the apprentices’ title three seasons ago.
“I told Pat after the first time I rode Holey Gadoley that I think he’s going to be a 1400-metre horse,” Radecker said.
“He got held up slightly behind Snipzu last start but he’s doing everything right.
“If he backs up he’ll be hard to beat again.”
Meanwhile, Brisbane Racing Club chairman Kevin Dixon has assured punters the Doomben track won’t be greatly affected by annual maintenance work conducted recently.
The last five Brisbane metropolitan meetings have been conducted at Eagle Farm while grass maintenance work was undertaken at Doomben.
However, a section of the grass track towards the outside rail hasn’t taken as well as the majority of the track due to the recent weather.
“It’s close to its best but in 10 days’ time it will be perfect,” Dixon said.
“We’ve got an outside strip about 10 metres wide which has been slower to grow.”
AAP TURF
