It’s the Magic Millions, and its trainers Peter Paul Snowden who are highlighting the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday.
With swiftbet saying the $2m The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic of 1200m is a ‘race-in-two’ it’s the Snowden’s who have Empire of Japan as $5 fav. and Sovereign Fund at $6.
Early favourite Empire of Japan is coming off third over 1100m at Randwick as $2.50 favourite, having first been a 2¾ length winner of the Breeder’s Plate 1000m at Randwick on a Heavy 8 track.
Again, to be ridden by reigning Longines World’s Best Jockey in James Mc Donald, he’ll be jumping from Gate 11, and in the red and yellow silks of China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock.
A bay or brown colt by living-legend Snitzel, Empire of Japan is from the Gr2 Magic Night winning General Nydiym mare Ichihara, the family of speedster Menari, Tie The Knot and Whisked.
In being $680,000 sale at the 2022 Gold Coast Yearlings to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, Starlight Racing, his Exceed And Excel half-brother sells on Day 5 from Corumbene Stud.
Melbourne champion Jamie Kah again rides Sovereign Fund for Peter and Paul Snowden, and in officially drawing Gate 17 of 16 runners, but maybe 13 with emergencies not running.
Unbeaten in both starts, he first won the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic of 1000m when ridden by James McDonald, and is also owned by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and partners.
A chestnut son of Magic Million 2YO Classic and Golden Slipper hero Capitalist, he’s from the Mossman Gr3 placed winner Mossbeat, a $550,000 graduate of last year’s Gold Coast Yearlings.
The $23 hope Godfather is Peter and Paul Snowden’s third 2YO Classic starer, in having won the Phelan Ready Stakes and is a $1.1m James Herron Bloodstock buy at the 2022 Magic Millions.
Next, the $2m Magic Millions Gold Coast 3YO Guineas of 1425m, and it’s the Snowden’s who have Russian Conquest at $4.80, with Yellow Brick as the $4 favourite and Spiritualised $9.50.
in being a first start winner of the Max Lees Classic and coming off a fast-finishing neck second in the Gosford Guineas, he’ll be jumping from Gate 9 of 16 with James McDonald again riding.
With her Snitzel half-brother going to Snowden Racing for $1.25m on Tuesday, Russian Conquest was a $425,000 buy at 2021 Magic Millions, by Russian Revolution from Gr1 My Conquestadory.
Newly programmed for Saturday is the MM The Debut 2YO Plate of 900m with the Snowden’s having Getty as the $3.60 favourite, while the MM The Syndicate at 1200m has Scallopini $2.80.
In breaking news it’s been announced that for 2024, next year, prize money for both The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas will both increase by $1m, up to $3m.
In addition, a second edition of the popular Magic Millions Maiden of 1400m and $250,000 will also be introduced to the Summer Carnival in 2024, and from May a race meeting under lights.
While a new evening feature will be a $1m Magic Millions National 2YO Classic of 1000m run in conjunction with the Gold Coast National Weanling, Broodmare and Yearling Sale in May.
Feature night racing will begin as part of the 2025 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival, with a new $5.25m six race program from Friday 10 January 2025, prior to the big MM Raceday.
The program will also introduction of a new $3m slot race exclusively for three-year-old sprinters over 1100 metres, and progress to become Australia’s most lucrative night race meeting.
Also, under lights from 2025 will be an incredible 24 hours of racing, with $20m on offer across the two cards, and the Magic Millions Cup up to $2m and Magic Millions QTIS Open to $1.5m.
And in spreading the Magic Millions, it’s next the Magic Millions Capricorn Guineas, Magic Millions Whitsunday Guineas, Magic Millions Townsville Guineas and Magic Millions Daintree Guineas.
