Tony Gollan is set to chase his second Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) title in three years, fielding a trio of contenders: La Bella Boom, Hi Barbie, and Formula Rossa.
Of the three, La Bella Boom is the standout in the market, fresh off her victory in the Aquis Gold Pearl (1100m) at the Sunshine Coast. Gollan is confident she is peaking at just the right time.
“She’s probably got a bit of sense of timing and preparation about her. Everything really that I’ve wanted to happen has happened. It’s gone to plan… I wouldn’t fault her prep,” Gollan said.
With rain forecast for race day, Gollan believes La Bella Boom’s fitness and her proven form on rain-affected tracks will give her an edge over 1200m. The filly comes into the race on a seven-day backup, a strategy Gollan feels works in her favor.
“She’s got the fitness score on the board. That seven-day backup just worked so well with so many horses and she’s the right horse for it. So I just think her preparation; she ticks every box for me,” Gollan said.
Hi Barbie, another of Gollan’s runners, has been largely overlooked by punters after a disappointing performance in the Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m), where she pulled up with atrial fibrillation as the favorite. Despite the setback, Gollan is optimistic about her chances.
“She won on a heavy 10 too. Obviously had that atrial fib. What worries you with her is the fact you’ve had the blip in the preparation. It’s hard enough to win these good races, let alone having a slight setback,” Gollan said.
“If I hadn’t have known she’d had it, I wouldn’t know. Physically, she’s really, really well. I haven’t had to alter anything I’ve done with her. So her preparation has gone exactly as I’d want as far as the training point goes, it’s just a matter of whether you can you forgive the atrial fib run.”
Hi Barbie, a daughter of Outback Barbie, who Gollan trained to win the Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m) in 2020, is joined by Formula Rossa as part of Gollan’s three-pronged attack. While Formula Rossa is one of the rank outsiders, Gollan suggests she could exceed expectations on a wet track.
“The wet weather’s her only hope. She was very good in the wet track at the Sunshine Coast. We’ll ride her back quiet. It looks like high-pressure Magic Millions, most of them are. Obviously a very fit filly, she’s well-schooled, that might come into play,” Gollan said.
“I’m probably in a good point with all three of mine as far as any sort of affected going goes. But look, a gun to my head, I think La Bella Boom for me, particularly if the track becomes testing and it looks a high-pressure race.”
La Bella Boom is currently second favorite at $6.50 and will once again be partnered with Craig Williams. Tim Clark will ride Hi Barbie, priced at $21, while Angela Jones retains the ride on the $101 outsider Formula Rossa.
