Well it’s that time of year again, where the turf meets the surf, one of Australia’s busiest and most scenic racetracks is set to bring an end to the TAB Qld Summer Racing Carnival. Every year thousands of yearlings are sold through the Magic Millions sales across the country, in a bid to find that one colt or filly capable of taking home the $1.16m first prize money cheque in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. This year’s running has brought together a competitive 16 horse field with form lines emerging from far and wide.
Looking at the market, as expected, there is one horse that is a dominant favourite for the race. That horse is none other than Coolangatta. Sportsbet currently has her at $2.05 to take out the race. The only other runners under double figures are the Snowden trained pair Russian Conquest at $8.00 and Miss Hellfire at $9.00.
.@cmaherracing and @bernadetecooper exchange compliments before discussing Coolangatta’s draw in the @mmsnippets 2YO Classic. 😂 pic.twitter.com/bq9yjAYNI6
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 10, 2022
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and there’s no such thing as a certainty, especially when it comes to two year olds. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find out runner by runner preview of the 2022 Magic Millions 2YO Classic along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Cusack (6) – $23
Jockey – Craig Newitt
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
We haven’t seen this son of Not A Single Doubt since his debut win in the MM 2YO Classic at Ballarat in November of last year. He overcame a wide barrier, sat outside the leader and was too good for his rivals on that occasion. In saying that the form out of the race has far from set the world on fire. Has trialled well in preparation for this but I think he has his work cut out beating a few of these.
2. Mishani Warfare (7) – $81
Jockey – James Orman
Trainer – Les Ross
Versatile gelding who has already won two races in his short career. Has drawn well but on exposed form can’t see him winning here.
3. Stupendo (19) – $19
Jockey – Craig Williams
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Jumped out well at Flemington before winning impressively on debut at that track. Finished a good second here last Saturday behind Mishani Spartan after covering ground. From the gate that is most likely going to be the case again. In saying that Craig WIlliams sticks with him and with some luck from the wide draw he can figure in the finish.
4. Mishani Spartan (3) – $26
Jockey – Jackson Morris
Trainer – Les Ross
Went around 50/1 at Ipswich on debut and won running away from them. Was yet again sent out at a big price last Saturday and after missing the start hopelessly rounded them up from the tail of the field to win well and keep his unbeaten record intact. The fillies race on the same day (won by Miss Hellfire) ran substantially quicker time and he faces a much tougher task here. He can’t afford to be giving away a start, but in saying that does have to be respected on the raw ability alone that he has brought to the races thus far.
5. Golden Artie (17) – $31
Jockey – Ben Thompson
Trainer – Bryan & Daniel Guy
A $30k buy at the 2021 MM Sales, this son of Artie Schiller hasn’t done much wrong to date. He was narrowly defeated on debut back in October by the smart Palazzo Spirit. Since returning from a spell he was a luckless 4th at the Sunshine Coast before a strong win at Doomben defeating Wyong MM winner Soaring Ambition. The gate makes it tricky but he has the benefit of being trained on track and looks one of the better local hopes from the in-form Guy stable.
.@BryanGuyRacing saddles up Golden Artie in the @mmsnippets 2YO Classic and the local trainer is thrilled to have a live hope in the big one! pic.twitter.com/G8dNLo2Ypb
— TAB (@tabcomau) January 12, 2022
6. Mishani Persuasion (21) – $151
Jockey – Rachel King
Trainer – Les Ross
Hard to see him winning from the outside gate here. King will probably look to drag back from the horror draw and ride for luck. Happy to leave him out.
7. Thelwell (5) – $46
Jockey – Justin P Stanley
Trainer – Sharryn Livingstone
This son of Bel Esprit continues to improve from run to run. He was an eye-catching 2nd to the short priced favourite Coolangatta two starts back and was a dominant winner last start under the big weight at the Sunshine Coast. Justin Stanley has one of the best strike rates in the country and will give him every hope from the good draw. Definitely one for the multiples.
8. Heroic Son (9) – $81
Jockey – Adin Thompson (a)
Trainer – Peter & Will Hulbert
Consistent little horse who wasn’t far away last Saturday behind Mishani Spartan. His form prior was only fair and one would think he has to find a few lengths to trouble them here.
9. Coolangatta (13) – $2.05
Jockey – James McDonald
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Ahh, Coolangatta. She’s been in the headlines since her electrifying debut win in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes back in October where she smashed the clock. She resumed from a spell at Doomben three weeks ago where she burnt the candle at both ends and was far too good for her rivals. She’s drawn a slightly sticky gate here but with natural improvement from that run and the key booking of James McDonald, it is hard to see her getting beat here.
Good morning from @GCTurfClub. Coolangatta, Away Game, Incredulous Dream, Snapdancer & Socialist all worked on the course proper this morning. Now for the barrier draw 🤞🤞 pic.twitter.com/7UQw5V5EDI
— Ciaron Maher Racing (@cmaherracing) January 10, 2022
10. Soaring Ambition (20) – $14
Jockey – Tommy Berry
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Won the Wyong MM on debut beating a handy field of 2YOs including Miss Hellfire. Was then sent north and was rolled as a short price favourite at Doomben last start. Has come up with a horror draw here and Berry will most likely have to snag back and look for some cover. If they go hard in front, which history says is more than likely, she should be getting to the line hard and looking to claim some minor prize money.
11. Russian Conquest (4) – $8.00
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
It’s hard to knock winning form and that’s exactly what this filly brings to the races here. She managed to get the job done on debut over 900m in the Max Lees and then improved again to blow her rivals away at Randwick. Comes up with a perfect gate here and looks to be the main threat on paper to the favourite Coolangatta.
12. Miss Hellfire (11) – $9.00
Jockey – Tim Clark
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Held on after sitting on a hot speed to run a gallant 2nd on debut in the Wyong MM 2YO on debut. She then won here last week and cemented her place in the final field. She is a horse that creates her own luck on the speed and will be in it for a long way.
13. Sneaky Starter (10) – $151
Jockey – Tiffani Brooker
Trainer – Mick Mair
Winner of two from four. Not hopeless but hard to see her winning here.
14. Perfect Mission (14) – $18
Jockey – Andrew Mallyon
Trainer – Michael Costa
This filly, from the in-form Michael Costa yard, hasn’t done much wrong in her four start career. She started favourite here last Saturday and was narrowly beaten by Miss Hellfire. She has a versatile racing pattern to offset the gate and should be in the mix come the business end of the race
15. Snitcat (2) – $41
Jockey – Jason Collett
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Finished off well last start when 2nd to Russian Conquest at Randwick. She got a long way back on that occasion and will probably need some luck here from the inside draw, as she could have plenty of horse flesh in front of her. If she gets the luck, she could figure in the multiples on exposed form.
“Perfect gate, there’ll be no excuses.”
Snitcat is tracking perfectly as the big day looms according to @GaryPortelli!
He also provides a preview of his Rosehill runners on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/D6QFW9NLfi
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 12, 2022
16. Bright Blue Sky (16) – $31
Jockey – Brett Prebble
Trainer – Jamie Richards
New Zealand raider who has come to AUS with a big wrap on her. She was simply run off her legs last start behind Coolangatta at Doomben. She will probably settle in the back half of the field again here but with a bit of luck she should be finding the line late in the race.
17e. Swiss Exile (1) – $35
Jockey – Hugh Bowman
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong on debut for this bloke. He bucked out of the barriers for a good 100m before hitting the line hard to finish a luckless 3rd to Palazzo Spirit. He was then sent out as the main danger in the market to Coolangatta at Doomben where he finished another game 3rd. His run here last Saturday was only fair but if he can gain a start the dryer surface and barrier 1 give him a place hope at big odds.
18e. Spanish Angels (18) – $201
Jockey – Not Notified
Trainer – Les Ross
Would need to find a few lengths to be competitive here.
19e. Revolutionary Miss (8) – $51
Jockey – Not Notified
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Good debut on the Kensington track in Sydney where she finished a narrow 2nd to Fireburn. Hard to see her gaining a start but could figure in the finish if she does.
20e. Wild Botanica (15) – $126
Jockey – Not Notified
Trainer – Kacy Fogden
Beaten by big margins by Coolangatta and Perfect Mission before a strong maiden win last Saturday at Ipswich. Nice filly but can’t have her here.
21e. Russian Warrior (12) – $201
Jockey – Not Notified
Trainer – Allan Chau
Won a moderate Gold Coast maiden here two back with trainer Allan Chau in the saddle before finishing midfield behind Golden Artie last start. Improving type but hard to have him here.
Final Word
As seen by the market, this year’s edition of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic looks to be Coolangatta’s race to lose. After doing the form, videos, and assessing possible speed maps, it is hard to disagree.
Her debut win at Randwick was simply outstanding and the clock backed that up, recording 56.78 for the 1000m and home in 33.17. She ran over a second quicker on the day than the colts and geldings in the Breeders Plate.
Hot favourite Coolangatta has drawn unlucky 13, with a number of others well in the market not much better off. Who are the big winners and losers from this morning’s @mmsnippets 2YO Classic barrier draw? 👀 #QLDisRacing 🏇 pic.twitter.com/XDBQF0MBWu
— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) January 10, 2022
Her first-up win at Doomben three weeks ago didn’t look overly convincing to the eye but she had to work early and the sectionals of the race backed that up. The horse that led on her inside knocked up and was beaten 21 lengths. James McDonald has stuck with the Written Tycoon filly all along and knows her inside out which is a big plus.
As for the other runners in the field, there are a handful that could pose a possible threat if Coolangatta does strike trouble in the run or isn’t 100%, but it is hard to tip against her on her form to date.
Queenslanders Golden Artie and Thelwell look good place hopes at big odds after strong last start wins and the likes of Russian Conquest, Soaring Ambition Stupendo, Perfect Mission and Miss Hellfire have to be included in multiples.
If the first emergency Swiss Exile gains a start I could entertain him at a big price. His debut run was very good after doing plenty wrong and he will get a good run behind the speed from the inside draw.
With that said, if you’re having a bet on the race I would suggest a win bet on Coolangatta along with a trifecta or first four for some value.
Best Magic Millions 2YO Classic Tip: Coolangatta – Win ($2.05)
Next Best: Trifecta or first four – 9 to win from 3, 5, 7,10,11,12,14,17 boxed for 2nd, 3rd and/ or 4th
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our Magic Millions 2YO Classic page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Sportsbet.