Heart hiccups and missed flights all in the mix for Michael Hickmott's Magic Millions hopes
As the business end of summer racing begins at Gold Coast, Michael Hickmott is readying to see a far better showing from Inhabit as the filly steps out on her Magic Millions path in the QTIS 2yo Fillies (1100m) on Saturday.
A winner on debut at Murray Bridge over 900m in October, Hickmott is setting aside the last start third placing at Morphettville Parks where the daughter of Stay Inside started at $1.26 and finished ten lengths off the subsequent two-time winner Moana Spirit.
The filly was found to have had cardiac arrhythmia but having won a trial since, this upcoming outing is a different story.
“She had a jump out against the older horses and was completely dominant,” Hickmott said while inspecting lots towards the Magic Millions Yearling Sale next week.
“Her last run was basically a no race for us I’m not paying any attention to it.
“The figures that we use indicate that is she would have replicated her first start at her second and even improved slightly, she can be in the mix with these horses this time.”
Inhabit is rated a $11 chance this weekend with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained pair By Choice and Skiki both under $4 quotes.
Todd Pannell is no stranger to riding at Gold Coast and retains the ride on Inhabit.
Pannell has had 410 rides at the track over the past 15 years winning 35 and placing on 87.
Hickmott also saddles up Cash who had to take the longer road to Queensland after missing a flight from South Australia.
Travelling instead by road via Sydney, the lightly raced four-year-old notched a career peak rating of 90 last start at Gawler but sharpened up with a barrier trial along the way at Randwick on December 30.
“He will win a really good race at some stage,” Hickmott said of the winner of two races and twice placed in four starts.
Cash was a $1.1 million purchase at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2023.
“It is a bit left of centre the way we had to come here but hopefully it all works out well,” Hickmott added.
Cash is the $6.50 equal second favourite for the Magic Millions Rising Stars 3&4yo for colts, geldings and entires.
