All signs point to Magic Millions Day as the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival reaches its grand finale this Saturday at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
With over $13 million in prize money and bonuses spread across a bumper 10-race program, the meeting stands as one of the premier fixtures on the Australian racing calendar and a genuine global showcase.
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Magic Millions 3YO Guineas headline the card, each worth $3 million and famed for producing elite-level performers.
I’ve broken down every race on the Magic Millions Day program and detailed my Gold Coast tips below.
BUCKEYE (2) shapes as a horse that has been patiently aimed at this assignment by the O’Shea & Charlton stable.
The Zousain gelding resumes after a strong effort at Canterbury in September where he finished a close second after enjoying a soft run.
He’s since been given two solid trials, the most recent a convincing win that suggests he’s primed to go fresh.
From a good gate, Zac Lloyd should have him well placed throughout.
Selections: 2-9-5-12
KING GUTHO (1) returns to the scene of last year’s near miss looking to go one better.
The Joe Cleary-trained gelding comes off a strong win in The Thunderbolt at Queanbeyan and brings solid form into this.
A recent trial suggests he’s come back well.
While the draw is awkward, a fast tempo and Tommy Berry aboard should help him find cover.
Selections: 1-4-10-13
The Debut is always tricky with unraced two-year-olds stepping out for the first time.
I’m happy to land on WENDELL (4) who will be expertly prepared by the Waterhouse & Bott stable.
The Written Tycoon colt was impressive winning a Rosehill trial where he showed speed and strength through the line.
Adam Hyernomius is likely to push forward from the outset.
Selections: 4-5-1-6
MISS JOELENE (1) comes into this race in excellent order and looks well placed to improve on last year’s placing.
The Kelly Schweida-trained mare has been building nicely and returned to winning form last Saturday with a powerful finish in The Wave.
Her lead-up mirrors what she did twelve months ago.
Despite the wide draw, she should be finishing strongly again.
Selections: 1-3-10-2
JENNI THE FOX (4) arrives in Queensland off the back of an impressive black-type win.
The Lucy Yeomans-trained mare settled closer than usual last start and was too strong late.
Her form this preparation has been consistent and she’s clearly fit.
Craig Williams should have her in a handy position from barrier 2.
Selections: 4-9-1-3
HIDDEN WEALTH (1) has enjoyed an excellent preparation and continues to race at a high level.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding returned in strong fashion three starts ago with a sharp win in the Swiss Ace Plate before racing a touch flat second-up in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes.
He was back to his best last start when proving too strong in the Listed Falvelon despite carrying 60kg.
He also won the Magic Millions QTIS Open over 1300m on this day last year.
Tommy Berry should be able to slide across and settle him in a prominent position.
Selections: 1-4-2-6
ZIP LOCK (1) heads into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with an unblemished record on the line.
Prepared by Chris & Corey Munce, the colt has already beaten two of his key rivals, Itchintogo and Tornado Valley, across his first two starts and has importantly ticked off the 1200m distance.
He made an immediate impact on debut at Doomben, finishing strongly to run down Itchintogo over 1200m and win with authority by 1.57 lengths.
Last start in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm, he again showed his quality. Settling just off the pace, he produced a powerful finish that left Tornado Valley unable to bridge the gap as Zip Lock scored by 1.55 lengths.
A good draw for Martin Harley should see him afforded every opportunity.
Selections: 1-5-7-3
NINJA (1) draws the car park but I don’t see it as enough to stop him from winning the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding was outstanding last start in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate where, despite being slow away and settling near the tail, he produced a devastating turn of foot to put the race to bed quickly.
He was unlucky first-up in the Pierata Plate when badly held up and impeded before charging late for a narrow third.
If Tommy Berry can find a spot with cover, he’ll be very hard to hold out.
NEED SOME LUCK (4) has been a picture of consistency and has come back this campaign in terrific form.
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding thrived in the heavy going first-up at Flemington when winning the Listed Fisher Stakes, then had genuine excuses second-up in the Ladbrokes Meteorite after covering ground throughout.
He responded in the best possible way last start, producing a strong finish to win the Buffering at Eagle Farm by a length.
That result keeps his record over this distance flawless.
Given he had six weeks between runs last start, he’ll strip tight for the Magic Millions Cup.
Selections: 4-1-2-7
ROSELYN’S STAR (14) resumes here and steps out to 1200m for the first time but looks well placed.
The O’Shea & Charlton-trained gelding was last seen in October letting down strongly to score over 1100m at Rosehill.
Two trials will have him nicely tuned, with the most recent seeing him given a solid hit-out for a convincing victory.
With a genuine tempo expected, Zac Lloyd should be able to settle him just off the speed.
Selections: 14-3-5-12