Racing heats up this Saturday on the Gold Coast! With the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas starring on the bumper card of racing, a capacity crowd is expected trackside. In Sydney, Wyong celebrates its 150th anniversary with the inaugural running of the $500,000 The Lakes, while in Victoria, Flemington hosts a typically tough and competitive summer program. Find out below who our experts are expecting to start 2025 with a bang!
Gold Coast Race 7
#6 Icarian Dream
Icarian Dream was an impressive winner at Eagle Farm at her latest outing. The Blue Point filly displayed a devastating turn of foot to score, and she rocketed into Magic Millions calculations. She has the fitness edge and race experience on the majority of her rivals, and the 1200m looks perfect at this stage of her campaign. Jumping from Burleigh Heads is the most significant deterrent.
Invincible Woman turned heads on debut. The I Am Invincible filly put her rivals to the sword a long way from home, and she has trialled exceptionally well since her first-up romp. The inform Damian Lane maintains the ride, and the Kennewell polish must be respected. If she can jump cleanly from the awkward gate, she will look the winner as they run for the doctor.
Suggested Bet: Icarian Dream @ $7.00
Gold Coast Race 8
#6 Snitzanova
Snitzanova is flying at present! The progressive Snitzel filly is building the picket fence next to her name, and she looks well placed in this company. Her victory in the Sandown Guineas was first-class, and I suspect the 1400m will suit after a little freshen-up. The talented three-year-old handles all conditions, and the freakish Daniel Stackhouse already has a winning association with the Ciaron Maher-trained runner. Hard to toss!
Street Chase is over the odds. The Zoustar gelding hasn’t missed a top-three finish in all preparation, and I suspect he is about to produce his peak performance for the campaign on the big stage. The step out to 1400m is advantageous, and he has been well supported since markets opened. The key appointment of Craig Williams could prove a training masterstroke, and he will roll forward and pilot the field with a clean break. A must for broader and multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Snitzanova @ $5.50
#12 Redbreast
Redbreast is ready to win. The American Pharoah mare has been super honest throughout the campaign, and she was only tossed in the shadows at her latest outing. Barrier three is ideal for the enigmatic frontrunner, and the luxurious 53kg puts one hoof on the till. If she is allowed to dictate the tempo throughout, the race could be over before patrons return to their seats. The significant class rise is her biggest hurdle.
Robusto is racing in a rich vein of form. His victory in the $2,000,000 The Ingham two starts back was breathtaking, while his latest performance at Eagle Farm was brave and resilient. The current track conditions will suit, and there has been an avalanche of money for the big boy since acceptances. The length of his current campaign and the allocated weight are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Redbreast @ $5.00
Wyong Race 9
#1 Able Willie
Able Willie can run a drum at the cricket score odds. He caught the eyes of punters late first-up, and he traditionally performs well at this stage of his campaign. 1200m is in his wheelhouse, and his record on rain-affected tracks speaks volumes. The 2kg apprentice claim is advantageous, and the perfect inside draw will allow him to drift back and find his hooves during the race’s early stages. Watch for him late!
Unstopabull was an impressive last-start winner at Randwick. The step out in trip plays into his favour, and he is drawn to receive the run of the race. The Russian Revolution gelding is ultra-versatile, and I suspect his quote will continue to shorten before the barriers open. The Chris Waller factor must be respected, and Zac Lloyd is now riding winners for fun. The significant class rise is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Able Willie @ $21.00
Flemington Race 8
#4 It'sourtime
It’sourtime is a straight-six specialist. The Time For War gelding has savaged the line at his latest two outings, and I suspect he is about to explode on Saturday. His racing this campaign has been strategically spaced, and he always performs well coming off a little freshen-up. From barrier ten he will drift back and find cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he will figure in the finish. Too honest to dismiss.
Wonder Boy resumes with an air of expectation. The Cosmic Force gelding showed talent in his debut campaign, and the form around Growing Empire reads incredibly well for this event. The 54kg puts him into all winning calculations, and his recent jumpout at Mornington was more exciting than dinner with Pamela Anderson. Hardest test to date against the older and more seasoned gallopers.
Suggested Bet: It’sourtime @ $6.50
