The Magic Millions Guineas (formerly the Magic Millions Trophy until last year) is one of the key highlights of the carnival at the Gold Coast. The $1 Million event over 1400m for the three-year-olds attracts the best from the Eastern side of Australia and in 2012 that will be no different.
Since the inaugural running in 2001, the honour roll doesn’t read that well compared to the two-year-olds, but a couple of notable victors are Ha Ha in 2002 and Gold Edition, who became the first Queensland trained horse to win the race, in 2007. The weight of numbers suggest the Queenslanders will take it out for the third time (Heart Of The Citi won in 2008), with 17 of the 21 acceptors being trained in the sunshine state. However, the four runners from Sydney are at the top of the betting.
1. Biggles
Beautiful ride by Tim Bell got him home first up before he won on protest in the Gold Edition. Then in the Vo Rogue he missed the kick, sat back and picked up very strongly to finish sixth, but the run was much better than it reads. From the wide barrier he’ll ease back and hope for some pace on up front to steam home late, which he should do. Equal top pick of the locals.
2. Rocket To Glory
North Queenslander who only knows one way to run and that is flat out hard. Did that last start and tired badly. Cannot see him improving enough to trouble these.
3. Noisy Ocean
Was wide all the way in the Vo Rogue and the saddle slipped yet came within a short half head of victory. He is back to his best form, but barrier 20 makes it very tough. Craig Williams will need to weave his magic wand to get this home.
4. Double Impact
Had his chance last Saturday in a weak three-year-old handicap. Not going well at all. No.
5. Easy Running
Equal top pick of the locals with Biggles. Caught the eye first up behind Biggles before he lost his next start on protest to that horse. He then went to the Vo Rogue and seemingly had his chance after sitting outside the speed but he did draw wide. He finally draws a gate here and is right in contention to win with Browne back on board.
6. Aquatorial
Hasn’t been far away of late, but he is another that doesn’t have the talent to win and the wide barrier rules him out.
7. Collector
No. Just no.
8. Safusa
Elusive Quality gelding who has been dynamite this preparation, winning three out of four, including a dominant all the way victory in the Magic Millions at Wyong beating Angel Of Mercy, who franked that form with a donkey licking of her rivals at Warwick Farm. The barrier is perfect for him, he’ll settle near the pace and prove the hard to hold out.
9. Subarc
Talented gelding who resumed with a most unlucky third behind Cindarockinrella at Rosehill. He doesn’t come out of the barriers well but thanks to the good barrier he won’t give them too big of a start. The 1400m suits and Nash is on top. Just about the one to beat for me.
10. Pepper Jet
Has done nothing this time in. No.
11. Show A Prince
The best roughie in the race. All three runs have been eye catching this time in. Finished hard in the Gold Edition before he had no luck in the Vo Rogue and should have finished much closer. If they do decide to go hard in front, this bloke will probably be sitting on the back of Biggles and be charging late. The $21 is good overs.
12. Punch On
Should have won clearly first up behind Charm’s Honour before she made amends with a win in the Vo Rogue. She should be cherry ripe for this thanks to the two hard runs under her belt and she’ll get the gun run from the barrier. Key contender.
13. Playtime
Very surprised she is $23 in fixed odds markets. I thought her run in the Vo Rogue was super. She was well back, off the bit straight away when they sprinted, but picked up late and closed off very strongly late in the piece. The extra journey suits and hopefully she can take advantage of the beautiful gate she has.
14. Happy Hussy
Won with authority first up at Canterbury, then sat outside the pace and just missed behind Embark at Rosehill before she led at Wyong and just held on to beat Runway Runaway. Then she sat off the pace last start at Rosehill and attacked the line powerfully. Will have to do the same here, but she is good enough to be right in the finish.
15. Lucky Morna
Her two runs back from a 182 day spell has been very good. Made up solid ground behind Charm’s Honour when resuming before he sat last in the Vo Rogue, pulled out and made up a huge amount of ground. From the barrier, I feel she can sit closer to the speed and unleash that powerful finish of hers. Another one that can win with luck.
16. Merryanna
Didn’t do a great deal when resuming behind Audacious Spirit. Not here for me.
17e. Peppered Black
It’d be a big effort if he won a $1 Million race first up. But I doubt it will happen.
18e. Spinhro
Caught the eye last Saturday in the three-year-old quality over 1200m at this track. I think this is a bit too rich for him though.
19e. State Of Wealth
Sat outside the pace and fought well for third when resuming in a class three at Doomben. That form doesn’t read too well for a race of this calibre. Having said that his form last time warrants him to be regarded as a threat here if he gains a start.
20e. Angel Of Mercy
Was excellent in defeat when beaten by Safusa in the Magic Millions at Wyong. Then she was a surprise drifter in betting at Warwick Farm yet won with such ease in very fast time. I doubt she will get a start here, so back her in the fillies and mares race with confidence.
21e. C’est Lorraine
If she was in a class three race, she’d just about win. Not here though.
Selections:
I’m going to put Subarc on top. The run first up was a beauty and the combination of Waller and Rawiller is one to be respected immensely in these big races. Safusa has done nothing wrong this preparation and has the form on the board. A deserved favourite. Easy Running certainly has the talent to win and has finally drawn a decent barrier plus Damian Browne jumps back on. For fourth, again, pick your own horse because there are about half a dozen or more horses in contention for that spot.
