Day 2 of the Magic Millions carnival is the racing highlight this Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club. With the two-year-old and three-year-old classics taking centre stage, and with a bonanza of prizemoney up for grabs, all roads lead to Aquis Park! In Victoria, Flemington host an exciting and competitive summer program of racing, while Rosehill Gardens will keep the punters happy in old Sydney town.
Gold Coast Race 6
#2 The Instructor
The Instructor is ready to win. The Russian Revolution gelding was good without winning fresh in a hot form race, and he looks extremely well placed in this company. His second-up record is near perfect, and he excels at the trip. The big boy will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is allowed to control the tempo throughout, he will look the winner as they run for the doctor. Hard to toss!
Hidden Wealth is racing well at present. The Better Than Ready gelding has won two from his previous three outings, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. The early money trail tells a significant story, and the Tommy Berry factor could prove decisive. The awkward alley and grandstand weight are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: The Instructor @ $4.00
Gold Coast Race 7
#2 Tornado Valley
Tornado Valley is coming off a brave run with genuine excuses. The Too Darn Hot colt covered more ground than the early settlers’, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forgive and forget. His win prior was first-class, and his luckless debut performance was a horror watch for the camp. From barrier five, he can sit one out, one back in the running line, and if the inform Ethan Brown presents the talented galloper with his run at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. Over the odds!
The undefeated Warwoven will start a short-priced favourite. The Sword Of State colt oozes class, and the form around him has stood up time and again. The 1200m is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and the Bjorn Baker-trained runner possesses a devastating turn of foot. He is clearly the one to beat; however, I am unsure whether the tight-turning Gold Coast circuit will suit his racing pattern and style.
Suggested Bet: Tornado Valley @ $9.00
#1 Ninja
Ninja was a breathtaking victor at his latest outing. The Farnan gelding savaged the line from another suburb, and he put his rivals to the sword in devastating fashion. He strips fitter as a result of his times and margins performance, and he meets the usual suspects on Saturday. The talented three-year-old is untapped, and I suspect he still has room for improvement in the campaign. I fear that an enormous head start, as they cut the ribbons, may be his undoing.
Icarian Dream is a model of consistency. The Blue Point filly is always thereabouts, and she has rubbed shoulders with some serious gallopers over the journey. I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals after lengthy campaign, and a recent jump-out on the course proper looked ominous. She tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a battle.
Suggested Bet: Ninja @ $1.85
Gold Coast Race 9
#9 Cool Jakey
Cool Jakey was a well-deserved second-up winner at Randwick at his latest outing. His fresh performance put the writing on the wall for a successful and fruitful campaign, and he is simply honest as the day is long. Despite jumping from Burleigh Heads, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, he will look the winner as they run for the doctor. If you have a live ticket with his name on it, cross your fingers and your toes during the final 50m of the event. Acid test!
Yellow Brick looks dangerous on the quick-back up. The Mission gelding was a stunning winner last weekend at the track over 1300m, and the step out in trip is favourable for the classy six-year-old. He strips fitter as a result of his recent heroics, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target from the astute camp. The allocated weight and awkward barrier draw are his biggest challenges to overcome.
Suggested Bet: Cool Jakey @ $10.00
Flemington Race 5
#5 Vain Champagne
Vain Champagne came home like a freight train first-up from a spell at the track over 1000m. The Magnus mare broke all the on-course clocks with her sizzling late sectionals, and she put the writing on the wall for a career-defining campaign. Her record second-up must be respected, and the camp are training winners for fun at present. The middle gate provides Jamie Mott a menagerie of options in the run, and if he presses the ‘go’ button at the right time, she will greet the judge before her more fancied rivals.
Celerity will have plenty of supporters after an impressive last-start victory at Flemington. The Exceed And Excel mare put her rivals to bed at the clock-tower, and I suspect she can string several wins together over the coming months. The Ciaron Maher factor must be respected, and she has been smashed in most all-in markets. Her record at the trip is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Vain Champagne @ $6.50
Rosehill Gardens Race 5
#2 Unspoken
Unspoken is knocking on the door. The Territories gelding has shown glimpses of his best form this campaign, and his performance behind Tavi Time and Estadio Mestalla reads incredibly well for this event. The 2000m is in his wheelhouse, and he should be rock-hard fit after lengthy and consistent campaign. He maps to receive the run of the race on Saturday, and if he puts in a four-quarter effort, he will be winning. The length of time out of the winners’ circle is the biggest deterrent.
Future History has well and truly recaptured his mojo. The Showcasing gelding is chasing a hat-trick of victories, and he looks well placed to continue on his winning ways. The rising nine-year-old gains the services of the inform Nash Rawiller, and his opening quote has folded quicker than Superman on laundry day. The veteran handles all track conditions, and I suspect he will look the winner as they enter the final furlong. The 61kg could end his winning streak.
Suggested Bet: Unspoken @ $3.20
