Euphoric Summer has booked herself a ticket to the Gold Coast after a hard- fought victory in Victoria’s only right-handed race at Ballarat.
Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic guarantees the winner a start in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
Co-trainer Mick Kent junior said the filly will be afforded a short break before heading to the Gold Coast late next month to acclimatise to the humid conditions.
Ridden by Ben Melham, Euphoric Summer ($6), scored a half-head win from the $2.80 favourite Rathlin with Amish Boy ($19) 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Kent, who trains in partnership with Mick Price, said Euphoric Summer was the ideal two-year-old type and not an expensive buy at $260,000 for Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
“She’s got talent but importantly she’s got the right brains for a two-year-old,” Kent said.
“Nothing worries her. She walked around here beautifully, cantered down to the start nicely.
“We now have the luxury of taking our time. We can give her a little break now, get up there three weeks before the race, let her acclimatise and maybe give her one run leading in the Millions.”
Kent said Saturday’s success held a little more significance as he has been employed by the Dubai-based ownership group for the past 18 months as their Australian bloodstock consultant.
Euphoric Summer ran second on debut at Caulfield on October 12 with Melham saying that had played a part in her victory on Saturday.
“Having the benefit of a race start and trialling here certainly helped, as did her professionalism,” Melham said.
“She was a little tardy out, but she was able to muster and get into a position where she was able to control the race.”
