The failure of Victorian filly I’m Too Sexy in her Brisbane lead-up run to the Magic Millions Classic hasn’t deterred Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams from tackling the $2 million race with his colt Ticket To Toorak.
A winner at his first start at Ballarat, Ticket To Toorak chased I’m Too Sexy home in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at the same track on November 25.
On the strength of her win, I’m Too Sexy was well in commission in the B J McLachlan Stakes at Doomben last Saturday but missed the start and then failed to handle the home turn, finishing 11th to Missy Longstocking.
But Williams is happy to overlook the form and loaded Ticket To Toorak onto a Queensland-bound plane on Wednesday.
“We opted not to run in between the clockwise race at Ballarat and the Magic Millions because we want him nice and fresh,” Williams said.
“He had ten days off after his first run when he won at Ballarat and I think at this stage he’s better for having his runs spaced.”
Williams said he’d watched the McLachlan carefully and wasn’t perturbed by the performance of I’m Too Sexy.
“I think the circumstances went against her a bit. At Ballarat she led easily and raced very well in the clockwise direction,” he said.
The run dented the credentials of I’m Too Sexy and probably didn’t do a lot for ticket To Toorak’s chances in the season’s first major juvenile race.
For Williams, though, and his colt’s major part-owners Australian Thoroughbreds, the exercise is well worth the effort.
“We’ll be there competing, we’re there and we’ve got a chance,” he said.
While Ticket To Toorak’s immediate future is definite, Williams is tossing up a number of options for his handy sprinter Mr Obvious.
The gelding is entered for the Mal Seccull Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday but the trainer is contemplating running him at either Sandown next Wednesday or Flemington on Millions day.
Mr Obvious has run outstanding races at his only two visits to town, the latest when fifth to Gig over the Flemington 1200m last Saturday week.
“He’s drawn a little wide at Caulfield and I think he might be better suited at 1200m around the turns,” Williams said.
