An outside barrier won’t deter connections of Shalailed from giving the colt an opportunity to book his spot in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.
Trainer John O’Shea confirmed the youngster would take his place in the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) at Randwick on Boxing Day despite coming up with gate 18 in the field of 14 plus six reserves.
The track is rated in the soft range and storms are forecast in Sydney over the Christmas weekend, giving O’Shea hope a wide draw might work in his favour.
“He is going to run,” O’Shea said.
“We’ve had a bunch of rain (at Randwick) so it may not be a disadvantage.”
A $280,000 Magic Millions purchase, Shalailed is by Shalaa, the sire of 2021 Classic winner Shaquero.
His inexperience was evident on debut at Warwick Farm when he wandered around in the straight but still managed an encouraging third to California Deeply.
Fireburn finished fourth in the same race and came out and won at Randwick last Saturday.
“His first run was super. He just got a bit lost and was a bit green,” O’Shea said.
“He is a genuine two-year-old type and we are really keen to qualify him.
“He is one we have just brought along steadily and I think as we get closer to the Magic Millions, he will start to really find his spot in life.”
Hugh Bowman, who won the Magic Millions on Shaquero, partnered Shalailed at Warwick Farm and has stuck with him.
Outside of the emergencies, nine of the 14 runners in Sunday’s race are chasing their ticket into the January 15 feature – Shalailed, Command Approved, Hard To Say, Monastery, Narnia, Wealthy Investor, Russian Conquest, Snitcat and Time To Leave are all Magic Millions eligible.
