Magic Millions Guineas preparations for opening favourite Combat Kitty will be kept to a minimum.
Sydney trainer Matthew Smith confirmed the Melbourne Cup carnival winner was in training for the $1 million race at the Gold Coast on January 14.
“She’s back in good shape and will be ready to trial next week,” the Warwick Farm trainer said.
“Depending on how she comes through she might only have another trial after that before going into the race.
“She is not an overly-gross filly and she’s clean-winded so it won’t take much to bring her to her top again.”
Combat Kitty is at $4.60 in a first TAB Sportsbet Guineas market dominated by Sydney-trained three-year-olds.
She shades the Gai Waterhouse-trained duo of Niagara ($5) and Just The Tonic ($7).
Smith said he would only consider the option of a lead-up run if next week’s trial suggested she was underdone.
“If she has a big blow after the trial I’ll look for a race,” he said.
Combat Kitty, runner-up to Karuta Queen in this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, made her last appearance when midfield in the Twilight Glow Stakes at Sandown on November 12.
The highlight of her spring came on Melbourne Cup day with a fast-finishing Listed race win over Mabsam.
AAP TURF
