The powerful Snowden stable has a second leading chance in the Magic Millions Classic, but not the one expected.
After a comfortable debut win at Kembla Grange, Bartley was expected to dominate Saturday’s two-year-old race over 1000 metres at Randwick and was accordingly sent out the $1.95 favourite in the four-horse field.
But as can happen in a small field, tactics play a big part and with Bartley pocketed on the fence with nowhere to go, it was left to his stablemate Nitrous ($6.50) to chase the leader Miss Canada ($4).
Nitrous, a Canberra winner earlier this month, did the job with his $58,000 first prize taking his earnings to $95,200 and a place in the field for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
Bartley stormed home to run third, three-quarters of a length behind Miss Canada, but with $28,740 in the bank is short of a Magic Millions Classic berth.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden indicated he and his father Peter would not pursue a place via a race at the Gold Coast next week.
“There is no Plan B for him. He’s not going to get into the race,” Snowden said.
“We may give him a break and look at the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper.
“There are plenty of options and it’s not the end of the world.”
For the winner, the Magic Millions is now Plan A with Ladbrokes tightening him from $51 to $26 with his stablemate Aim the $5.90 favourite.
“Obviously the stablemate was held up badly but this bloke made his own luck,” Snowden said.
“He did it well at Canberra and it was another professional effort today.
“We’ll see over the next few days how he comes through but he’s a tough customer and continues to improve.
“He’ll go to the Gold Coast now for the Magic Millions and it’s more than just a throw at the stumps.”
