Tomorrow will
see a full field of two-year-olds contest the second Adelaide Magic Millions 2YO Classic
at Cheltenham Park. The race will by run over
1250 metres and there were 18 final acceptors for the race. Only 14 are able to run so
there are four emergencies who are on standby to start.
The final field is a great cross section of yearlings from
around the country. Horses sold in Adelaide, Perth and the Gold Coast will go head to head
on Saturday.
Their purchase prices ranged from just $4,500 (We Will Rock
You) to $200,000 (Freehill). Many of the runners were bred in South Australia however
Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and New Zealand are all
represented.
01 Wyndam Glory (Tony McEvoy) Simon Price (1) 55.5
A $75,000 purchase at the Gold Coast Premier Sale last
year, Wyndam Glory is a striking son of then evergreen Rory's Jester. Bred in South
Australia by the Eccentric Breeding Syndicate he was purchased by Mark Pilkington for a
strong stable client at Lindsay Park. On debut the colt was heavily backed (3/1-18/10 fav)
and looked the winner before the Rick Hore-Lacy trained Yes She Can Cancan grabbed him in
the final stride in the 900 metre Adelaide Plate in course record time. Next time out he
bettered that track record by nearly half a second in winning the listed Fulham Park Plate
again at Victoria Park. Behind him that day were Hydrometer, Cobamuse and Orrong. He won
that race by an incredible six lengths. Given a month between runs Tony McEvoy sent him to
Melbourne and he led them up before finding Cool Trent, a subsequent Magic Millions Gold
Coast placegetter, too strong in the run to the line in the listed Drumstick Stakes.
Facing a strong field in the Group Two Maribyrnong Plate he ran a respectable fourth to
the boom youngster Bel Esprit, who has beaten everything by panels at each start to date.
Still in the declarations for the Blue Diamond Stakes the colt should get a lovely run
from the inside barrier for Simon Price. He is the one they have to beat.
02 Hydrometer (Leon Macdonald) Jason Holder (4)
55.5
One of the most attractive yearlings at last year's
Adelaide Sale, the young coltwas knocked down to leading Morphettville trainer Leon
Macdonald for $95,000. Bred by Ingleburne Pty Ltd he was sold by leading Angaston based
stud Gawler Park. After running a handy second in a Victoria Park trial (to Slick Magic)
the colt was ready to debut at the same track. Positioned in the middle of the field early
the colt worked home nicely to finish a distant second behind the runaway winner Wyndam
Glory. After winning a barrier trial back in late January his last run came in the Group
Two Breeders' Stakes where he ran fourth, beaten 7.3 lengths by his highly promising
stablemate Great Glen. Has a lovely draw and it is interesting to note that Jason Holder
won this race last year on one of the local gallopers. Holder should be able to take
whatever he position he desires and Hydrometer is expected to be working home strongly
over the concluding stages. Definite each way claims.
03 Freehill (NZ) (Myles Plumb) Jason Patton (2)
55.5
A stunningly bred colt who cost prominent owner Lloyd
Williams $200,000 at the Gold Coast Sale last year, Freehill was foaled in New Zealand the
home of his dam La Rose Noir, a former handy sprinter in that country. Adelaide racegoers
may remember La Rose Noir running in Adelaide when she finished toward the tail of the
field in Bellzevir's Goodwood Handicap in 1997. She was previously a listed race winner in
New Zealand. Before stepping out for his first run in the Merson Cooper Stakes, Freehill
had two trials (a third and fourth) at Cranbourne. The Danehill colt had no luck on debut,
striking interference at the 400 metre mark and fading to run eighth, some nine lengths
from the winner. Racing a big drop in class he was sent out the favourite but was no match
for Plenary Indulgence at Mornington. But he didn't help his chances by bucking at the
start of the race and losing early momentum. Stepping back to the city he battled hard to
finish a touch more than a length behind Chowpie. Given nearly a month off he last ran at
Sandown on January 19 and he wound up in fourth place - nearly two and a half lengths from
the winner Uniforms. A good chance of earning prizemoney here.
04 Milkshake (Colin Little) Peter Mertens (11) 55.5
Bred by a Group of young breeders including Tattersalls'
Jason Singh, Milkshake is a cleverly named son of the promising young stallion and Group
One winner Encosta de Lago. Sold for $20,000 in Adelaide last year, the colt is trained by
leading Caulfield based preparer Colin Little. On debut the grey colt turned in an eye
catching performance when he made ground to finish a four length sixth to boom juvenile
Delago Brom at Caulfield. The last 600 metres in the race was carved out in a speedy 33.94
seconds, and Milkshake took some ground off the leaders over the final stages. Just over a
fortnight later Little sent the colt to Sandown and he ranged up before finishing just a
long neck from the debut winner Fine Society. With his first start on a good track and his
last start second placing on a slow track he looks capable of performing on whatever
surface is presented on Saturday. If the emergencies fail to get a start he would jump
from barrier seven, which looks ideal for the colt. Peter Mertens retains the ride after
partnering him last time out at Sandown.
05 Snowblast (John Hawkes) Wayne Kerford (16) 55.5
A grey gelding by Unbridled's Song from the Danehill mare
Danish Ayr, Snowblast was a $65,000 purchase on the Gold Coast for former top cricketer
Simon O'Donnell. The gelding wasn't seen in any trials before making his racetrack debut
behind the runaway winner Wyndam Glory in the Fulham Park Plate over 900 metres. Floated
to Victoria he was right on the pace at his next outing at Geelong. Fronted with a sharp
rise in distance (up to 1240m) the Gauci mount was unable to keep going up the home
straight and he faded slightly to finish a tick over two length from the winner Cocktail
Evening. Wayne Kerford, who's strike rate for the stable in recent times has been strong,
will be reunited with the grey who has a terrible barrier. Would be expecting Kerford to
punch the gelding forward early from the wide barrier and he could be there in the firing
line for a long way. However, if he did not anticipate the start he could end up being
back in the field and a wall of horses in front. Prepared to risk this time. Could be
better next time in with experience and more growth.
06 Flawed Logic (Dan O'Sullivan) Travis Creek (10)
53.0
A chestnut filly by Rory's Jester the Bignell bred
youngster Flawed Logic was sold in Adelaide last year for $40,000. She is a member of the
powerful Adelaide base of Aquanita with Dan O'Sullivan - the man who put the polish on
former glamour filly So Gorgeous and present day performer Oh So Discreet among others.
The filly is now the "veteran" of five runs in Adelaide. After a debut fifth at
Victoria Park which was full of merit, she then finished second to Eternal Desire. Then at
her very next start she came home a winner, beating Saturday's rival Vengadame by more
than a length. The filly then was disappointing when she failed to beat a runner home in
the listed Queen Adelaide Stakes - commonly referred to now as the "duck race."
But she then bounced back and got back to better form by running fifth to Great Glen, Yell
and company in the Group Two Breeders' Stakes at Cheltenham on February 2. Travis Creek is
leading the premiership in South Australia and usually gives his mounts a lovely run. If
the four emergencies come out the daughter of Rory's Jester will jump from gate six, an
ideal barrier. Gets every opportunity of a sweet run and could be thereabouts for the
minor end of the prize.
07 Anacarde (Tony McEvoy) Paul Gatt (5) 53.0
A brown filly Anacarde is by the promising young sire
Anabaa, who recently sired the Gold Coast stakes winner Heritiere. She was knocked down
for $125,000 at the Perth Premier Sale last year. The filly has now raced four times and
has a win and second placing to her credit. Importantly her win came over 1250 metres -
the distance of Saturday's rich race. On debut the filly ran fourth (of six) at Cheltenham
behind fellow MM runners Flawed Logic and Vengadame. On that occasion Simon Price had the
filly in front before she compounded and was beaten over four lengths at the finish. Next
time out connections changed the riding tactics and they sat back in the ruck and she then
charged home to go down by a lip to the handy performer Thanks a Bundle. A win came at
start number three when she scored a two length win over Brandy Cruster and Money Belt on
the day Lovely Jubly won the Gold Coast Classic - is this a sign? Last start she got a
long way back and then failed to make much ground in Great Glen's Breeders' Stakes at
Cheltenham over 1263 metres.
08 It's Who Deanie (John Salanitri) Stephen Baster
(18) 53.0
A filly who was named partly because of her breeding
(daughter of the Key to Content mare Deanie) and because of her antics in the John
Salanitri stable at Caulfield. She is a daughter of Sunday Silence's son Fuji Kiseki, who
has made a great start to his career in Australia. She was purchased at the Adelaide sale
last year by Salanitri for $28,000. The trainer is well known for training Road to Success
to win a Blue Diamond Stakes in Melbourne. It's Who Deanie was unseen in public and was a
drifter in all markets when debuting at Flemington on February 3. The filly powered home
to score a half length win over Preferential, Rory's Babe and Gazania. Interesting to note
that top Melbourne hoop Stephen Baster has elected to travel to Adelaide to ride the filly
and forego rides on CF Orr Stakes day in Victoria. Baster is riding in great form,
expecially in the feature races and despite the wide draw the two are expected to play a
major role in the final washup of the event.
09 We Will Rock You (Joe Lockyer) (14) 53.0
They always say that horses never know how much each of
them cost and it's probably luck they dont when you consider the achievements of this
filly to date. A bargain buy the grey daughter of Forest Glow cost Morphettville trainer
Joe Lockyer just $4,500 during the Summer Session of last year's Adelaide sales. She is
owned by SA Thoroughbred Breeders' commitee member and leading local owner John
Cameron-Smith (who also has shares in Hydrometer, Umrum, Corps Commander, Border Time
etc). The filly has already earned three times her purchase price! Last start she seemed
to get buried back in the field in the G2 Breeders' Stakes at Cheltenham and had little
luck. She was kept very safe in the markets on track. Her previous start was a cracker!
She finished on the placegetters heels in the Queen Adelaide Stakes, won by Westace. She
made plenty of ground on that occasion coming from eleventh place at the 400m mark to
finish sixth - just 2.4 lengths from the winner. Her efforts in narrowly beating Red
Labelle at Victoria Park in October was full of merit. Despite being very green and never
really being ridden out she hit the line in tremendous style and should have won by
further. A seemingly frivolous protest by the runner-up was not surprisingly thrown out by
stewards. The runner-up would never have beaten her on that occasion. Could be the
knockout horse at good each way odds. Watch for her to be finishing hard over the final
200 metres.
10 Red Labelle (Mark Minervini) Joe Bowditch (12)
53.0
A daughter of the local sire Blevic, Red Labelle was a
$42,500 Adelaide yearling buy and she has been the most consistent filly on the track for
her now Strathalbyn based trainer Mark Minervini. Her final lead up run came in the
Breeders' Stakes when she finished seventh - some eight lengths from Great Glen and Yell
who fought out a great Group race finish. At her previous run Red Labelle was the victim
of a duck drama. She was all set for victory with mother and father duck and family ruined
the day for connections. After propping and attempting to jump the furry critters Red
Labelle was beaten a head into third place - showing there is yet another way to get
beaten! At her previous two starts Red Labelle had finished the race as the runner-up. On
one occasion she was beaten by We Will Rock You, while Insightful proven a touch too good
on the other occasion. Her fourth in the listed Dequetteville Stakes on debut was an
excellent effort after she was slowly away when jumping awkwardly. A consistent filly she
is bound to be close at the end of the 1250 metre trip. Connections will be hoping they
can break the duck (pardon the pun) by registering win number on for Red Labelle in the
near future.
11 Rachael's Pride (Joe Hall) David O'Heare (13)
53.0
The locally bred filly, who was sold for $15,000 in the
Summer Session in Adelaide last year, seems to be getting back to somewhere near her best
judging on her recent form for Joe Hall, the father of leading Melbourne mentor David
(trainer of Royal Code etc). Last start (on Saturday) she may have been a touch
disappointing when she finished third when a warm favourite at Victoria Park. At the post
she was beaten about a length and a half by Regicide. Her previous run when fifth in the
Queen Adelaide Stakes was a strong run. She was beaten a touch of two lengths after
showing good pace in the middle stages of the race. David O'Heare returns to the saddle on
Saturday. Her first ever start in the listed Dequetteville Stakes was a pretty good run.
At the end of the 900 metre race she was beaten only two lengths by the promising Danehill
filly Presumed Innocent. Immeditaly after that race she was disappointing when finishing
seventh (of nine) to Saturday's rivals We Will Rock You and Red Labelle. Is expected to
roll forward early and could give the others something to chase. Place at very best and
with a soft run in front.
12 Magravine (Mick Price) Dale Smith (a) (6) 53.0
Mick Price has one of the best strike rates of any
metropolitan trainer in Australia. The Caulfield based trainer will saddle up his lightly
raced Last Tycoon filly Magravine in the race tomorrow. A $40,000 purchase on the Gold
Coast last year, Magravine was bred in New South Wales. On Saturday the filly will be
ridden by the only apprentice rider in the race, Victorian youngster Dale Smith. On debut
the filly ran a handy second to the Myles Plumb trained Cassis in a fillies race at
Bendigo in January. At her following start she ventured to town and was a well held fourth
to Regal Tess at Flemington. At her most recent start she finished three lengths from
Zembu under the lights at Moonee Valley. The filly is drawn to get a lovely run from
barrier six and Smith should be able to position Magravine wherever he so desires. A
chance of finishing with a minor placing if she runs up to her best and with some natural
improvement and experience at start number four. It's a long way to come just for a run.
13 Vengadame (Barry Brook) (17) 53.0
Bred by New South Wales based stud Emirates Park, Vengadame
was sold for $35,000 in Adelaide last year. She is a daughter of the former top galloper
and handy sire Snaadee and out of the accomplished Godswalk mare Regal Walk. Trained away
from the city by an accomplished horseman, Vengadame was at long odds for her racetrack
debut but she nearly caused a huge boilover when, despite being a big drifter in betting
on and off course, she ran an excellent second. Since then her best effort came when she
made strong ground after being slowly away at Cheltenham on Boxing Day behind the
accomplished Thanks a Bundle. Last start she ventured to Murray Bridge and she found Great
Glen, a subsequent Group Two winner, was too good over 1000 metres. As she doesn't possess
the greatest early speed she is probably better suited over the 1250 metre trip on
Saturday. Her outside draw will see her get a long way back and she will need plenty of
luck to even get a crack at the leading brigade in the middle and latter stages of the
race.
14 Dark Horizon (Gordon Richards) Andrew Findlay
(15) 53.0
The filly was a $65,000 purchase at the 2001 Adelaide Magic
Millions Yearling Sale for handy Morphettville based trainer Gordon Richards. Interesting
to note that leading Melbourne strike rate rider Andrew Findlay has opted to be in
Adelaide tomorrow and partner this youngster. She is a daughter of the good young stallion
Thunder Gulch and is out of a Carry a Smile mare. She had trialled nicely at Victoria Park
in preparation for her first start in the listed Dequetteville Stakes, where she was
beaten 6.5 lengths by Presumed Innocent, Bella Vichy and Rachael's Pride. Given a let up
she looked sharp in a Cheltenham trial before she stepped out at Victoria Park on
Australia Day and got within a long neck of victory at 30/1. At her most recent start she
was downed by Tia Jane and beat home the speedy type Miss Vodka. She seems to have
improved between her first and second runs and with natural improvement she could run a
big race at handy each way odds. Another reasonable chance for a local's victory in the
rich race.
Emergencies
15 Dodger (Tony McEvoy) (3) 55.5
As is the case with most of the Angaston based Lindsay Park
juveniles this colt was unseen in public before making his racetrack debut in the state's
first juvenile race last September. The Canny Lad colt, who is out of the Kris mare
Kristal Blue, was a $60,000 purchase in the Adelaide sale this time last year. He is raced
by the Group One Racing Club Number 2 Syndicate which is managed by Ted Cockram. On debut
she ran third to Yes She Can Cancan and Wyndam Glory over 900 metres. Racing handy, but
never showing explosive pace, the colt battled home but was no match for the first two
past the post. While a half neck separated the quinella horses, a further five lengths was
between the second and third placegetters. Interesting to note the colt was a big drifter
on debut (3s to 6/1). Should be better for the run, but is a chance of even missing out on
one.
16 French Terror (Michael Moroney) (8) 53.0
A daughter of Queensland based Hamas, French Terror was
puchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $70,000 at the Gold Coast Premier Sale just more
than a year ago. She showed she possessed some above average ability by winning a trial at
Geelong on December 28. Following the trial the filly was beaten three and a half lengths
by Nightbird in a Maiden Plate at Bendigo on January 8. She then faced a huge rise in
class when running in the Group Two Breeders Stakes over 1263 metres at Cheltenham behind
Great Glen and company. The filly is bound to have gained great benefit from her two runs
to date but I think she will be hard pressed to be earning significant prizemoney in this
style of race at this stage of her life. Can't really a make a case for her. Connections
may be looking a little too high at this stage.
17 Wanna Play Chicken (Len Smith) (9) 53.0
This unusually named filly with any sort of luck last
Saturday should have been able to force her way into this field. Instead of earning
thousands of dollars for finishing either first or second she earned connections just $880
after being what many felt was a good thing beaten. One of the first runners for the
Willow Grove Stud based Gallo di Ferro, Wanna Play Chicken was sold for $9,500 in the
Summer Session in Adelaide last year. Trained in the same stables as recently retired
staying star Skybeau, Wanna Play Chicken was an eye catching run when she made good late
ground on debut at Victoria Park in laste January. The a fortnight later (last Saturday)
her rider Michael Hoppo was nearly a casualty when the saddle slipped badly and he lost
contact with the horse at about the 100 metre mark and how he stayed in the saddle was
basically a miracle. With any sort of luck and a bit more experience she would have won.
Probably won't get a run in this race, however is she does she must have some each way
claims at best.
18 Lawson's Storm (David Balfour) (7) 55.5
The Bellotto colt Lawson's Storm was a $38,000 yearling
purchase in Adelaide last year for leading local trainer David Balfour. Started well
fancied on Saturday and didn't make much of an impression after racing midfield. Sat in a
similar position throughout and was beaten nearly nine lengths on the line. Being by
Bellotto he will probably be better suited more to this distance (1250m), but he would
have to improve greatly to even worry some of these. Is fourth emergency and nearly looks
assured of missing a start. Don't think he can win even if he does get a start. He does
have a handy barrier though. |