Weigall Tiger out to guarantee a Magic Millions Guineas goal
Kelly Schweida would’ve preferred not to run progressive three-year-old Weigall Tiger on Saturday at Eagle Farm but doesn’t want to take any chances with the son of Saxon Warrior currently 17th in the ballot for the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas.
The Eagle Farm based trainer has won four Magic Millions races but never the 2yo or 3yo feature, for which Weigall Tiger, who has won all four starts this preparation, is an $11 chance.
“I probably wouldn’t have run him if I was assured he’d get a run in the Magic Millions but he’s number seventeenth in order and a couple of them above him won’t start but quite a few underneath him will run between now and the Magic Millions so unfortunately I’ve got to go around this week to try and earn a bit more prize money,” Schweida said.
Weigall Tiger turned heads at his first Saturday metro start, stepping up to the 1400m at Eagle Farm two starts ago and winning by 4.6 lengths, following that up with another strong win last start in a Magic Millions Class 3 Handicap.
“I was trying to make an early runner of him but it wasn’t working… I trained his mother, she was a bit of a 1200 metre horse but to look at him he’s just a rangy type of horse, he’s certainly come a long way this prep,” Schweida said.
Stepping up to the mile for the first time, Schweida is confident the horse can continue to progress as he develops and says three weeks between runs back to 1400m should work out well for Weigall Tiger who looks a live chance on the Gold Coast.
“I think so (good chance). A lot of water under the bridge between now and then… it’s going to a mile in a small (field), we like riding him a bit quiet because he pulled his way to the front the other day, it’s certainly no harder than what he’s been meeting.”
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...