Michael Nolan has a high opinion of Sir Luminar but admits he faces an important challenge in Saturday’s B J McLachlan Stakes at Doomben.
Sir Luminar is on the third line of betting at $10 with TAB Fixed Odds for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 12 with the Clarry Conners-trained Assail the $4.50 favourite.
The son of Choisir was an impressive winner of the Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 15 but his trainer says the McLachlan represents a tougher test.
“Judging by the noms it looks a red hot race,” Nolan said.
“The 1200 metres won’t worry him but I’m more worried about the better class horses he’ll be running into this time, especially the fillies who’ll be carrying two kilograms less than him.”
Sir Luminar took some time to recover from his debut win but Nolan said he had made good progress in the past week.
“His win at Eagle Farm knocked him around for a couple of days but he’s a good eater and a good doer and he’s bounced back,” Nolan said.
“His work on Saturday morning was good and it’s all systems go for the McLachlan.”
Nolan paid $60,000 for Sir Luminar and regards him as a cheap buy.
“When he came into the ring it was late on the Sunday afternoon and there wasn’t many people there,” he said.
“If he’d been in the earlier sessions he probably would have brought a lot more money.”
Gai Waterhouse will be represented in the McLachlan by Sweet Idea with Michael Cahill to ride.
The filly won her first start at Randwick on October 20 and was spelled after she finished second at Rosehill on November 3.
Stablemate Certitude will race in blinkers in the Millions in a bid to hold a more prominent position than she did in the Wyong Millions when fourth to Assail.
Blinkers are also being considered for three-year-old Driefontein, winner of the 2012 Magic Millions, following her controversial Wyong defeat.
Breeders’ Plate winner Whittington is an unlikely runner in the Millions while Waterhouse will decide whether No Looking Back heads north after she resumes in the Carrington Stakes on New Year’s Day.
Glen Boss will ride Purrific when the colt has his first start for new trainer Gillian Heinrich in the McLachlan.
Other Doomben mounts for Boss are Write Cheek in the Vo Rogue Plate and Alma’s Fury in the Bernborugh Handicap.