Unencumbered, winner of four of his five starts, could provide former Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker with his biggest win to date. The Testa Rossa colt is the current favourite for the race at $3.80 and will be looking to be the only the second male in the past eight years to win the feature race. According to the market, the best chance of the fillies continuing their run of success lays with Oakleigh Girl ($8.50) The only other runner under double figure odds is Invisible ($6.00).
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Magic Millions Classic Form Guide
1. UNENCUMBERED – N Berry (3)
Has not put a foot wrong in his five career starts to date, of which he has won four with the last three in succession. He stalked the speed two starts ago in the Wyong MM Classic and always had the leaders, Sheer Style and Geromayo (3rd and 2nd respectively) in his sights before proving to strong for the pair and winning by a length. He then draw gate one in the G3 B. J. McLachlan Stakes and was again placed to advantage by Berry throughout in recording a head victory over Stroak and Sagatona. Lovely runs the past couple and imagine he’ll be afforded another one from gate three.
2. GEROMAYO – S Baster (8)
He made a solid debut in the Debutante Stakes back in October for Trainer Mick Price before a let-up of six weeks and then returning in the Ballarat MM Classic in November. The colt by Charge Forward chased Sheer Style valiantly on the heavy track and finished second, beaten a length. He then ventured to Wyong for the MM Classic race and whilst he got the better of Sheer Style this time around, he was no match for Unencumbered late, again finishing second by a length. Can’t knock any of his runs thus far and drawn well enough in eight, to be considered again.
3. I AM THE GENERAL – J Noonan (15)
Sat on the speed when kicking off his career in the Ballarat MM Classic and stuck on well to run third behind Sheer Style and Geromayo on the heavy track. The son of I Am Invincible then stepped at Flemington in a 1000m 2yo plate where he again took up a prominent position and was able to hold off the late challengers to win by neck over Chivalry with Notonyourlife third. Certainly hasn’t shirked his task at either run and at this, only his third start, would expect some more improvement to come but does face a task from a poor draw.
4. CELESTIAL DRAGON – T Bell (5)
Unbeaten Hidden Dragon colt trained by Stuart Kendrick, he led all the way when recording a ¾ length win over Eljetem and Sagatona. He again jumped straight to the front at his only start since and was too slick for Burleigh Bullett, winning by 1 ¼ lengths. Drawn ideally to take up a similar position again but faces stiffer opposition here.
5. NORDIC EMPIRE – D Oliver (19)
Damien Oliver has partnered this son of Wilander in both of his starts to date which include an impressive 1 ¾ length win on debut at Caulfield at the end of November and, then a month later, on Sydney’s Canterbury circuit, a third placing to Invisible and Jetwings. Had a nice run behind the speed and stuck on well given it was his first way of the clock-wise direction and it was on the tight Canterbury track. The Mick Price trained galloper appears to have his share of ability and no jockey in better form at present than Oliver.
6. PINCH RIVER – R Wiggins (12)
Dead-heated for first on debut at Eagle Farm back in early November but made certain victory was his alone at his follow start, winning by an impressive six lengths again, at Eagle Farm. His next and only start since, was in the G3 B. J. McLachlan Stakes where the Rob Heathcote trained runner settled third behind the leading pair. He, like the leaders, faded in the straight and ran sixth (6 ¼ lengths) behind Unencumbered. On that effort and from this gate, hard to see him winning this.
7. INVISIBLE – J McDonald (7)
From the very much in-form Team Hawkes training operation, this colt by All American made his debut only a fortnight ago in an Open 2yo race at Canterbury. Ridden by McDonald, he sat second outside the leader from a wide gate and proved too strong in the run home, winning by ¾ length over Jetwings. A strong and professional win on debut and he can only be better again for having had the race experience. Drawn a gate that should allow him the option of going forward or taking a sit if required and he is not to be underestimated.
8. DIVINE SERVICE – E Wilkinson (4)
Surprised most when, as a 50/1 shot, the Jason McLachlan trained runner won an Eagle Farm 2yo Open race on debut back in November. A month later the son of Haradasun stepped out as the 9/4 favourite but, even after securing a nice run throughout, he again burned punters by running third (1.4 lengths) to Celestial Dragon. He needed to win that race to be considered among the better chances here.
9. VIENNA ROYALE – C Munce (10)
After an impressive barrier trial win, the Tony Gollan trained Falvelon colt was sent out a dominate 4/9 on favourite when making his debut in October at Doomben. Leading from the front, he gave those who take the short odds no reason for concern by winning by an impressive 5.5 lengths. However his two subsequent starts, where he has started 4/7 on and 5/4 favourite in both races; have caused punters great concern. He ran eighth in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes and was ordered to trial by Stewards before, in a Toowoomba 2yo race, he weakened from an on-pace position to run fifth of ten (3.4 lengths). Not on the latest two efforts.
10. CYCLONE – B Shinn (1)
Gai Waterhouse trains this Sebring colt who is yet to win in two race starts but both efforts suggest he’s maiden status will not be held for much longer. After settling third in the run, he stayed on well when third to Unencumbered on debut at Kensington before crossing the line first but losing the result in the Stewards room when, officially, finishing second to Kumaon at Rosehill. Trainer has an exceptional record in this race and jockey is in good touch. Some luck from the inside gate could see him run a cheeky race at decent odds.
11. SHEER STYLE – J Collett (21)
After running second to the promising Earthquake, the Gary Frazer trained filly ventured south for the Ballarat MM Classic where she was installed the 9/10 on favourite. She crossed from a wide gate to take up the lead position and on the heavy track, was able to hold all challengers at bay, winning by a length over Geromayo. She again started odds on when, at her next and most recent start, she lined up in the Wyong MM Classic. Leading, she appeared to be given her chance in the run but was simply no match for Unencumbered late and ran third (1.5 lengths). Drawn horribly.
12. OAKLEIGH GIRL – C Newitt (6)
The impeccably bred filly made her debut when, up the Flemington straight on Cup Day, she won the 7news Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths. Almost seven weeks later and back in her home state, the Danny Bougoure trained daughter of Snitzel, stepped out in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes as the 2/1 on favourite. Leading, there were a few anxious moments for her supporters early in the straight before her class prevailed and she defeated Ambitious Blonde by a length. Despite taking on the males for the first time in the G3 B. J. McLachlan Stake at her next and most recent start, she again started favourite but this time, folded late after setting a hot tempo and finished fourth to Unencumbered by two lengths. Did go hard out in front last start and may, for the first time, be ridden with cover from gate six.
13. STROAK – M Cahill (14)
Made it two from two with a solid 1 ¼ length win in a Doomben 2yo race early December before being tested in a better grade of race by her trainer Brian Guy in the G3 B. J. McLachlan Stakes. The Real Saga filly settled midfield and appeared to be under pressure around the turn but once balanced, continued to make good ground and ran Unencumbered to a head. Big striding filly, she’ll enjoy the strong tempo up front and if Cahill can wind her up with an uninterrupted run, no reason off of her last start effort, that she wouldn’t be involved in the finish.
14. TOTALLY SURE – G Colless (16)
She was given an eight week spell after winning a Doomben Open 2yo race back in October at her second start. The Not A Single Doubt filly returned to test herself in Stakes races where she finished fourth (2.4 lengths) and fifth (2.3 lengths) in the Listed Calaway Gal and B. J. McLachlan Stakes respectively. Through nice draws, she has had her opportunity in each of her recent starts but hasn’t drawn well here and will find this no easier.
15. RUBY SOHO – M Rodd (2)
Pipped on the past by Divine Service three starts back before finishing well to run third to Oakleigh Girl in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (2 ¼ lengths). Liam Birchley then took his daughter of Publishing out to Ipswich late last month where, as the 10/1 on favourite, she duly won by 2 ¾ lengths. Would’ve been worried had she not won in the manner she did last start Drawn well here in two and on the Calaway Gal Stakes run, would have to concede her a place chance.
16. ECHO GAL – T Berry (17)
Always had been wraps on this Stratum filly trained by Gai Waterhouse and those expectations rose further after she handsomely won her debut race at Warwick Farm by 3 ¾ lengths. She then came to Queensland where she lined up in the G3 B. J. McLachlan Stakes. Sitting on a hot speed, she folded almost immediately after making the home turn and ran second to last, sixteen lengths from the winner Unencumbered. A post veterinarian report confirmed that she had suffered from the Thumps. The query over her recovery of last start has to be a concern as too is the poor draw.
17. SAGATONA – R Thompson (13)
Started favourite on debut three runs back and from the tail of the field, finished well to run third on the heavy track to Celestial Dragon (1 length). Celestial Dragon got the better of the Real Saga filly at their next start as well where Sagatona again got back in the run after drawing the second to widest gate in the field of fourteen but, closed well to claim fourth. Her next and most recent start was her best yet when finishing third (3/4 length) to Unencumbered in the G3 B. J. McLachlan Stakes and has had a solid winning barrier trial since then. Getting back poses problems but if the luck comes and she reproduces her last start effort, there’s not much ground to make up.
18. PINK PERFECTION – P Robl (9) (1st Emergency)
Peter Moody will be represented by this Mossman filly who has had two starts to date. The first was back in October where she ran third to Alpha Miss (2 lengths). Six weeks and two winning barrier trials later, she stepped out at in a Gosford Maiden as the ruling 5/4 favourite but after leading, couldn’t hold of the challenge of Almalad who bettered her by a neck. Hard to see her winning this of a second placing in a Gosford Maiden.
19. STAR DROP – (11) (2nd Emergency)
Still looking for a maiden victory, the daughter of Starcraft got within ¾ length of breaking that status when running second last week to No Problem in a 2yo race here on the Gold Coast. Will find this too hard.
20. BURLEIGH BULLET – (20) (3rd Emergency)
Sat on the speed and held on well when running second to Celestial Dragon on debut before running fith to No Problem here on the Gold Coast last week. Had his chance last start and needed to do better than he did to be considered a hope in this race.
21. TALES OF FASHION – (18) (4th Emergency)
Tale of the Cat filly who led all the way on debut to score a head win over Another Whiskey in a 2yo race on the Gold Coast before also finishing behind No Problem last week, when trying to sneak into the final field of this race. Unlikely to gain a start but if she did, would struggle.
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RACE OVERVIEW
No reason not to go with Unencumbered here who has done the right thing by us at his past two outings. He has been professional and impressive in each of his wins and will be afforded the run to be that again here. As the market suggests, a host of chances outside of Unencumbered including Stroak ($13.00). She’s a big striding filly and Cahill, who won this race last year on Real Surreal, will ensure she’s given her chance to finish over the top. Invisible, who comes into this race with only the one start to his name, is a legitimate chance. Drawn ideally for mine in seven, he’ll be able to tag the speed and liked the way he went about his business on debut. Cyclone and Sagatona the value selections.
