The running of the $2,000,000 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast Turf Club means it’s time for the Punter’s Prince to take us through the runner-by-runner guide.
Jamaea is in the market and attacks this race first-up.
Will she be too good for them?
#1 bend the knee
john o'shea
Was one of the early favourites in future markets, but has drifted alarmingly since.
Barrier 20 has ruined his chances.
Odds: $21 the win and $5.5 the place.
Finishing position: 9th
#2 jamaea
R & L Price
The current race favourite.
On class alone she could spank this field with ease.
Only real query on her is race fitness after she was scratched from her first-up run in the Nudgee Stakes due to a heavy track.
She has since been given a sharp 1000-metre trial at the Gold Coast on January 4 where she looked to be in very good order.
Barrier draw is perfect for her.
Odds: $5 the win and $2 the place.
Finishing position: 1st
#3 king of sparta
peter and paul snowden
Probably lacks the class of Jamaea, but he has the race fitness on his side.
The Snowden camp love winning races up on the Gold Coast at this time of year as well.
Nash Rawiller booked and he can steer this gelding into a nice spot from an awkward barrier.
The main danger to our on-top pick.
Odds: $5.5 the win and $2.15 the place.
Finishing position: 2nd
#4 release the beans
robert heathcote
Outclassed and draws very wide, but he does have Brett Prebble to negate the barrier.
Top 10 chance at best.
Odds: $31 the win and $8.5 the place.
Finishing position: 10th
#5 far too easy
Dave Mccolm
Racing in career best and Craig Williams hops on.
There is a big knock on his ability to perform strongly over 1400 metres given he has never reached out to that distance in his career and seemed to peak on his run last start.
Odds: $18 the win and $5.5 the place.
Finishing position: 8th
#6 starman
chris waller
Defied a savage betting drift last start to cruise to victory over 1200 metres.
He was stepping back from 1400 metres, so to show such sharpness going back in distanace proves how well he is going.
Rises back up to 1400 metres now and has a great base to run a powerful race.
Genuine top three chance with James McDonald only adding to our confidence.
The each-way play in the race if you are looking at something outside of Jamaea.
Odds: $7 the win and $2.5 the place
Finishing position: 3rd
#7 construct
peter and paul snowden
Long odds after battling away behind I Am Lethal at Randwick Kensington.
Looks a couple of lengths away from the top picks here.
Odds: $26 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: 11th
#8 I am lethal
john o'shea
Looks a real progressive horse and is in a rich vein of winning form at the moment.
The barrier draw, however, looks a complete disaster for him.
Not sure what Hugh Bowman does from the wide barrier, but he will need to be Houdini to find a close enough spot with cover.
Ran the best 600-200 metres of the day at Randwick Kensington a fortnight ago and tapered off late, which suggests there is more to come.
He’ll be flying home, but will probably be too far back.
Odds: $6.5 the win and $2.4 the place.
Finishing position: 4th
#9 rhapsody rose
chris munce
The advantage for her during this campaign was being placed perfectly and having the fitness advantage over her rivals.
That scenario does not occur here and she is a very minimal hope.
Odds: $21 the win and $6.5 the place.
Finishing position: 12th
#10 miss hipster
kelly schweida
Needs it much easier than this.
Odds: $51 the win and $12 the place.
Finishing position: Last
#11 Me ME Lagarde
A J & T Edmonds
She is racing in great order, but could potentially be put to the sword thanks to the barrier draw.
One of these in-form gallopers is going to have to press on and chance their luck.
Think she is the one to do so, but will be posted very deep.
Odds: $11 the win and $3.5 the place.
Finishing position: 14th
#12 glorious ruby
bryan dais
Only making up the numbers.
Odds: $81 the win and $21 the place.
Finishing position: 13th
#13 shihonka
gai waterhouse & adrian bott
Could very well lead this race with ease and prove hard to catch.
Do not think she handled the heavy 10 track at all in the Vo Rogue Plate lead-up event last start.
Getting back to good surface should see her elevate considerably from that run.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.8 the place.
Finishing position: 5th
#14 indiscreetly
danny bougoure
Danny Bougoure’s stable star.
She is yet to taste defeat in her career through three starts.
Had to contend with a wide draw and dropping back from 1600 metres to 1400 metres against some pretty sharp horses.
If she gets the lead, which is unlikely, she can win.
Odds: $10 the win and $3.3 the place.
Finishing position: 7th
#16 ruby kisses
gerald ryan & sterling alexiou
Not in this race.
Needs a drop down in grade.
Odds: $81 the win and $21 the place.
Finishing position: 16th
#17 Dovetail Diva
J G Symons & S Laxon
Ran beyond 1200 metres for first time in her career in the Vo Rogue a fortnight ago.
Acquitted herself quite well, but this is much tougher.
Prefer to risk her and find others in this race who are capable of sustaining their sprint over 1400 metres.
Odds: $51 the win and $12 the place.
Finishing position: 15th
#18 socialist
ciaron maher & dave eustace
Was runner-up behind I Am Lethal last start, but she is going to enjoy a much cushier run in transit than I Am Lethal.
Jason Colett booked from barrier one is a good sign.
A great chance as a roughie in this race.
Have her finishing somewhere near the top five.
Odds: $21 the win and $6.5 the place.
Finishing position: 6th
#19 snitzonfire
gai waterhouse & adrian bott
Get an entry into the race after the scratching of Mishani Enchanted.
Bit of a tough ask to stay up for seven runs in a preparation let alone your first.
Fraught with danger backing against Gai, but gelding looks outclassed.
Odds: $21 the win and $6.5 the place.
Finishing position: 17th
