After being in two minds about starting Zelady’s Night Out in a Group Three race at the Gold Coast, trainer Tony Gollan has come away with the spoils.
Gollan was not sure whether the filly needed to run in the B J McLachlan (1200m) leading into the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Zelady’s Night Out
In the end the trainer decided to start her on Saturday, two weeks out from the big race at the same track.
Zelady’s Night Out ($3.50) sat behind a hot pace and came away to beat the Gai Waterhouse-trained Slumber Party ($4) by a length with three-quarters of a length to Nikitas ($3.20 fav).
Bookmakers immediately firmed Zelady’s Night Out from $8 to $6.50 in the Millions Classic with Slumber Party firming from $11 to $9.50 and Nikitas from $8 into $7.
However, the favourite Capitalist continued to dominate the market at $1.70 after his stablemate Detective was a late scratching at Randwick.
Gollan believes there is even more improvement in Zelady’s Night Out.
“We had been pretty kind with her in the lead up to the McLachlan. And Jimmy (jockey Byrne) was kind to her over the final little bit,” Gollan said.
“But she showed today she can jump and take a sit. I have a huge amount of respect for Peter Snowden’s horse (Capitalist) but this is my best chance to win the Millions.”
Byrne said Zelady’s Night out had felt the hard track on Saturday.
“She did jar up a bit on the track. She came back under me well when the others were determined to lead,” Byrne said.
Slumber Party should get a Millions start after picking up $30,000 in prize money taking her to a total of $45,000.
Her jockey Kerrin McEvoy said the filly would be improved by her first run since October.
Michael Cahill predicted Nikitas would go on to be a top class horse but not necessarily in the Magic Millions.
“Down the track I think he will be the real deal. I could never settle him today as they just went too quick in the lead,” he said.
“But watch out for him a bit later on,” Cahill said.
