When it comes to winning the $2 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic, Sunshine Coast based trainer Darryl Hansen has been there and done that.
That was in 2015 when Le Chef, ridden by Luke Tarrant, backed up from the week before to score from Pepperano and Single Gaze for owner Lenora Saunders … and Hansen is back to have another crack at the big one with the $31 chance You’ll Be Mist.
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You’ll Be Mist, who will be ridden by Jim Byrne, has already repaid her $18,000 purchase price, having earned over $81,000 via two wins and a third placing from her four career starts to date.
Both wins were over 1000, as opposed to the 1200m distance she will face in the big race and the raised level of opposition and original number 14 barrier draw will do her no favours (she should move in closer after final scratchings) … but Hansen is happy to take the race as it comes and just to enjoy the moment.
“We’ve flown under the radar,” said Hansen, “and I’m happy that way.
“A couple of people have phoned to interview me, but I’m just trying to keep quiet. I don’t want to put any pressure on her in any way. Look, the horse is in good condition. I am really happy with her.
“She is drawn a little awkwardly, but we are in the race … you know the old saying ‘if you have got a ticket, you have got a chance.’ I take that to mean we have got as good a chance as anybody.
“She has done everything right so far … and the good thing about it is that we are part of the race within a race with that woman’s bonus for horses with an all-female ownership. She is one of those so we could go there and get a nice little prize anyway.
“It would be lovely to win it again, but I’m planning to just go there and have a pressure free day. I’m happy to just let it play out and see what happens.”
