Pinch River has come through a strong track gallop to show he is over a minor leg problem and on course for the Magic Millions Classic.
Friday morning’s gallop was important because the make-up of the final Magic Millions field is murky with several youngsters who are well in the market only borderline chances of getting a start.
Pinch River is assured of a run but there had been question marks over his fitness after trainer Rob Heathcote made a report to stewards on Tuesday.
Heathcote said he had treated Pinch River for sensitivity to the near foreleg suspensory attachment.
“It is more a syndrome than an injury. I knew he was a lot better than his last-start unplaced run in the McLachlan Stakes and I got the vet in,” Heathcote said.
“It is sensitivity to the suspensory where it joins the cannon bone. It is a simple thing, it has been treated and he worked strongly this morning with Ryan Wiggins aboard.”
Heathcote said Wiggins would ride Pinch River in the Magic Millions and the colt would be hard to beat.
At this stage Pinch River is one of only three horses in the field who is eligible for $500,000 in bonus payments to runners owned by women.
Trainer Tony Gollan is monitoring Vienna Royale daily before making a decision on whether to run in the Millions while Toby Edmonds says he has a 50-50 chance to get Bassillique right to take his place.
Gai Waterhouse’s filly Echo Gal, who is just outside the field, will gallop in front of stewards tomorrow.
She had the thumps after failing in the McLachlan Stakes last week.
There are eight horses at the Gold Coast as well as the Waterhouse-trained Fighting Sun at Rosehill on Saturday who could force their way into the Millions field to be declared on Monday.