HUGE day in the glitter strip this Saturday, for the running of the annual Magic Millions race day series, including the 2 and 3 year old feature events on the program. Great racing all over the country elsewhere too, so take a look at the PlayUp form analyst selections below.
Flemington
R5 #9 Here To Shock
Was very well backed first up, off some promising mail from the stable that stated he should’ve been too good for that BM64 field. Unfortunately things went wrong in the run, and he ended up a mile back, and was the widest runner on the turn. He flew home, including a last 600m that was 6L inside standard time and was not beaten far. Second up, smaller field, and only 54kg for a horse who is a three time G1 competitor.
R6 #5 Toff Choice
This horse ran extremely well at cricket score odds down the straight when resuming, finishing only 4L off Pioneer River and Kentucky Casanova, who has since won midweek. He got back in running and flew home, with aightning quick last 400m sectional. Second up here, gets a claim for W Price to boot, and has drawn barrier one so he can settle much closer in running. Looks a great each way play at double figures.
Gold Coast
R5 #6 Away Game
Very keen on the Maher/Eustace mare here, who ran out of her skin first up at Caulfield in the Listed Xmas Stakes behind the future G1 star Marabi. She settled behind midfield after jumping from a wide draw, and flew home with a meeting fastest last 200m in a time that was 4.5L quicker than class average. Second up here with a proven 3:2-1 second up record, she draws barrier one and gets the booking of J McDonald to boot. Best bet of the entire day for sure.
R8 #13 Shihonka
Aiming for a safe each way bet here, with Shihonka who looks extremely well placed in this 3yo Magic Millions Guineas. She is flying this prep, including three wins and a very gallant second in the G3 Vo Rogue last start. The track was a heavy 10 and she didn’t handle it, but still managed to run second and fend off some talented horses in the process. She will jump and lead this field, and as long as she controls the tempo to a degree, she is fit enough to run them along and keep kicking. The tight turning Gold Coast circuit will suit her racing pattern, and she can give a big sight in the lead.
Keen to blast out in the last on the resuming Ef Troop, who is a proven first up winner and has trialled very nicely into this race. A Doomben hit out over the 1000m should be enough to get him right on the mark, and he only carries 54kg here for T Clark from a soft draw middle of the pack. I don’t believe his best racing is behind him just yet, and with T Gollan set to have all his horses ready to go at his local tracks biggest day of the year, expect a bold run here.
