Day 1 of the Magic Millions carnival is the racing highlight this Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club. With over $7,000,000 in prize money up for grabs, a bumper local crowd is expected trackside! In New South Wales, Wyong hosts an exciting and competitive stand-alone meeting, with The Lakes taking centre stage. South of the border, Group 3 racing returns to Flemington with the time-honoured Standish Handicap ensuring all roads lead to headquarters. Happy New Year!
Gold Coast Race 7
#10 Miss Joelene
Miss Joelene has one hoof on the till. The consistent five-year-old Russian Revolution mare is flying at present, and she is well placed to continue on her winning ways. The Cejay Graham-trained galloper savaged the line late at her latest outing, and her victory two starts back was superior and dominant. The 1800m looks ideal at this stage of her campaign, and her opening quote has folded faster than superman on laundry day. Her racing pattern and style may not be well-suited to the tight-turning Gold Coast circuit.
Sly Boots can upset the short-priced favourite. The Toronado gelding caught the eyes of punters late at Randwick at his latest outing, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. The big boy is a third-up specialist, and I suspect this event is his major assignment for the preparation. Dismiss at your own peril.
Suggested Bet: Miss Joelene @ $3.00
Gold Coast Race 9
#2 Grafterburners
Grafterburners is flying and winning for fun at present. The Graff colt is chasing four victories on the bounce, and I suspect his best performance here will prove too strong for his rivals. The 1100m is advantageous, and a perfect inside draw will allow him to occupy the box-seat throughout. The James McDonald factor must be respected, and the stable are on fire at present. Hard to toss!
Ice Kool oozes class. The undefeated Zoustar gelding is scarily untapped, and I suspect this race has been on the radar since he first stepped on a racecourse. The early money has been significant, and his sizzling turn off foot could prove the winning difference. The carpark draw and significant class rise are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Grafterburners @ $2.50
#9 Bossed Up
Bossed Up represents great each way value. The Better Than Ready gelding never shirks the task, and he looks well placed in this company on Saturday. The inside draw will allow him to sit closer to the speed in transit, and if he can see daylight as heads turn for him, he can make his presence felt late. The allocated feather weight could prove decisive, and the money trail tells a story. Ready to win!
Boomtown Boss will have plenty of fans after producing a string of impressive performances during the current campaign. The Spirit Of Boom gelding is ultra consistent, and he has rubbed shoulders with some serious gallopers. The key appointment of Craig Williams should raise eyebrows, and I suspect he will jump close to even money. The carpark draw is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Bossed Up @ $8.50
Wyong Race 8
#1 Accredited
Accredited looks hard to toss. The classy All Too Hard gelding is edging closer to his next victory, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. The significant drop in class plays into his favour, and he looks the likely leader on paper. The Wyong circuit will suit his racing pattern and style, and I expect him to look the winner as they cut the ribbons. The 60.5kg is the primary concern.
Whinchat is ready to strike. The Russian Revolution was good without winning fresh, and he put the writing on the wall for a second-up victory. The 1350m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation, and his opening quote has been met with significant support. Barrier four will allow him to take up a prominent role in running, and if the favourite has an off day or spends his pennies early, the Zoustar gelding can capitalise late. In the mix!
Suggested Bet: Accredited @ $2.00
Wyong Race 9
#1 Robusto
Robusto is one classy runner. The form around him has stood up time and again, and his latest performance caught the eyes of punters. The quick back-up suits, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his key rivals. The grandstand weight won’t trouble the enigmatic six-year-old, and his record at the distance must be respected. Major player.
Know Thyself has upside for days. The Autumn Sun gelding was a brilliant last-start winner, and his overall career record is near perfect. He finds his pet distance on Saturday, and he remains undefeated second-up. The 56.5kg could prove the winning different, and there has been a tsunami of money for him early doors. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Robusto @ $7.00
Flemington Race 8
#8 sAMANGU
Samangu is over the odds. The Written By mare turned heads during the early stages of her career, and I suspect she still has more upside and potential than the majority of her key rivals. Her barrier trial leading into her fresh assignment was first-class, and it may pay dividends to forgive and forget her first-up performance after bombing the start. The lightly raced five-year-old is undefeated second-up, and she loves the journey more than an Uber driver. Yes please!
Hedged returned to the winners’ circle at his latest outing after a long string of outs. The Capitalist gelding looks well placed in this company, and the inform Harry Coffey retains the ride. The middle gate provides multiple options in the run, and the current track conditions suit to a tee. He tends to find one or two better during the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Samangu @ $17.00
