Adrian Bott is adamant filly Shiki remains on track for the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast despite her defeat as an odds-on favourite at Randwick.
A narrow winner of the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in October, Shiki had been an early favourite for the $3 million January 17 showpiece but eased to $8 after missing a top-three finish in Saturday’s TAB Plate (1000m).
The youngster led and kicked clear around the home turn but was swamped late to finish fourth to Warwoven, beaten 2-3/4 lengths.
Bott wasn’t overly perturbed and said it was still full steam ahead to the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) next month.
“I haven’t lost faith off the back of (Saturday),” Bott said.
“I think she is the right horse to take up there. The benefit is she’s qualified, so we were under no pressure, and it was a nice starting point for her.”
Bott had cautioned pre-race that while they expected Shiki to run boldly, her grand final was still a month away.
The two-year-old is likely to have another run at the Gold Coast a week before the Magic Millions and with some further education between now and then, Bott believes she is more than capable of rebounding.
“She is a very fast filly and has always been that way. I just want to see her harness her speed, which she can do,” he said.
“She was in need of that run, and we’ve got a few things to work on which we’re aware of.
“A different race set-up for her will be beneficial because she can be adaptable.”
While Shiki eased in Magic Millions markets, race winner Warwoven firmed into $6 to be an equal second pick alongside Shiki’s stablemate Lumbini.
The latter posted an explosive win in The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and Bott said she was also likely to have one more run before the main event.
“She was excellent, and she is Magic Millions-bound,” he said.
“She will probably run again in two weeks’ time and then head there.”
Magic Millions Wyong 2YO winner Paradoxium remains a $3.50 favourite for the Classic and is expected to step out in the B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm next weekend.
