The 3yo en route to the Gold Coast for the big Magic Millions race-day, step out here with Gai Waterhouse’s Sweet Idea, who returns from a bleeding attack suffered in her only run during the spring, dominating the market at $1.40. Only two of her eight competitors pose a threat according to the betting market with Peter Moody’s Weinholt ($6.00) and Dream Forward ($5.50) the only other runners in the race under $19.00.
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Magic Millions 3yo Stakes Form Guide
1. WOULDN’T IT BE NICE – N Berry (5)
Avoided the trouble up front when, as a 60/1 chance, he snuck home along the fence in a BM 73 (1200m) to register a head win over the Koroibete when resuming from a spell last month. The Paul Perry trained runner then found the likes of Heat Testa, Cape Kidnappers and Zaratone, too slick in a BM 95 (1200m) and finished eighth and over six lengths from the winner. He is better suited back to this grade but likely to get back and hard, particularly at this circuit, to see him running some his competitors down.
2. WEINHOLT – J Bowman (3)
The Stratum colt trained by Peter Moody contested some of the leading 3yo races during the spring and, although not being able to register a win during that campaign, he did register a second to Caulfield Guineas winner Long John in the Listed Henry Buck (1400m) and a fifth in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude behind Éclair Big Bang. He has been freshened up since failing in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and been prepped for his return with a strong winning barrier trails, under the guidance of Bowman, at Randwick a fortnight ago. Will be able to keep Sweet Idea in his sights from gate three and would not underestimate.
3. SHIVORO – J Ford (8)
The Bel Danoro gelding is still yet to register a place let only a win from nine starts, which have all been in races of a much lesser quality than this event. He had his best chance yet to enhance his poor record when taken to Goulburn last start. As the 4/1 favourite in the mile race, he never raised backers or connections hopes and finished ninth of eleven (8 ¼ lengths). Not here.
4. TRESORIO – N Rawiller (9)
After running fifth of eleven (3.7 lengths) on debut in a Wyong Maiden (1100m), he was turned out by his trainer Angela Davies for a spell of eighteen weeks. The Oratorio gelding resumed a fortnight ago and made good ground from last on the turn, running a long neck second to Telephoto. It was an encouraging return suggesting that he’s capable of winning his share of races in the future, but at this stage of his career, a race of this quality will be too much.
5. SWEET IDEA – J McDonald (1)
The Snitzel filly was one of the best of her generation last season. Two victories from seven starts as a 2yo, which includes the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, she also recorded a second in the 2yo Magic Millions and a third behind Overreach in the G1 Golden Slipper. She returned as a 3yo in the G2 Silver Shadow and ran a courageous second to Thump but unfortunately bled and had to serve the mandatory three month ban. Will be ready to fire first up and it is impossible to knock any of her starts thus far. From the inside gate, will be the one to beat.
6. DREAM FORWARD – C Reith (6)
Sparingly raced Charge Forward filly returned from an eighteen month break in July, with a ¾ length win in restricted race at Canterbury over 1200m. Six week later, at her next start, she was thrown in the deep end and into the G2 Furious Stakes (1200m). Of no assistance to her chances was the fact that she drew the outside gate in a field of ten and was posted wide for the duration of the trip. She finished sixth behind Bound For Earth and Guelp, beaten 4.2 lengths. Appreciated the drop in grade at her next and most recent start, the Listed Reginald Allen Stakes (1400m) in September, and have every chance behind the leader and eventual winner’s back Champagne Cath and ran fifth (1 ½ lengths). She’s been prepped for her return by trainer Darren Smith with a Newcastle barrier trial a week and a half ago. Her previous efforts in good quality races give her a genuine show here.
7. PATINAGE – G Buckley (2)
Returned from a twenty three week spell in November as maiden from six starts but the filly by Murtajill has quickly improved her career strike rate by winner each of the three starts she’s had this time in. Her latest victory came at Hawkesbury in a Class 2 race over 1100m where, as the 11/8 favourite, she sat on the speed and dug deep late in registering a head win. Big jump in class from a Class 2 to here and although she’ll be able to take up a handy spot from a good gate, she’ll struggle to hold off the late challengers.
8. FIFTYSHADESOFGREY (7)
At her eighth start two starts ago, the Written Tycoon filly trained by Warwick Farm’s Marc Conners, was able to break her maiden status with a length victory in a Gosford Maiden (1200m). She was then sent south for the 3yo Classic Magic Million race at Ballarat and, on a heavy track and from the tail of the field, she made ground late to run third (2.6 lengths) behind Anatina. Her last handful of starts have been honest performance and although they’ve also been in weaker grade, this race outside of the top two chances, falls away quickly in terms of depth.
9. ESTONIAN PRINCESS – K McEvoy (4)
Yet to win a race from five starts, but has shown plenty of promise in her career to date. She ran second twice from four starts as a 2yo, one in Open company and finished a close up fourth (1 ½ lengths) in the Listed Coolmore Stakes at Scone at her second race start. The Snitzel filly returned as a three year just over two weeks ago but found the combination of the 1000m trip and assigned weight of 59kgs, too much and ran fourth of eleven (2 ¾ lengths). Having had that run and the extra furlong and the drop to 54.5kg serve her well and would expect her to produce a run better than her current quote would suggest.
RACE OVERVIEW
Weinholt got out to compete at a mile last preparation but wouldn’t underestimate his chances here in a race where the depth isn’t deep but too hard to go past Sweet Idea She’ll lead from her draw and her record and recent trial suggest her rival will struggle to get past here. Looking at some exotic options in the hope of increasing a return, Estonian Princess may be the one Drawn well – good in some handy races last prep and better for having her first up run.
- SWEET IDEA
- WEINHOLT
- DREAM FORWARD
- ESTONIAN PRICESS