Storm Boy retains a strong grip on favouritism for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic

The wins of Spywire and Arabian Summer at the Gold Coast on Saturday added some spice to this Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but Adrian Bott remains confident he has the horse to beat.

Bott, in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, trains Storm Boy, who retains a strong grip on favouritism for the $3 million event.

The Sydney trainer is respectful of the winners of last Saturday’s two 1100-metre events, but wouldn’t be keen to swap his star charge for any of his rivals.

“No doubt they were impressive in their own respective races, so it’s always going to be a big test here,” Bott said.

“He’s got to keep improving, no doubt.

“But we’re happy with what we’ve got. We’ve got the right horse here, he’s in the right shape and I wouldn’t swap him for anything else.”

Storm Boy, a son of Justify, was a dominant winner at Rosehill on December 2 on debut before rounding out his Magic Millions preparations with an emphatic 2.4-length victory in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 23.

Bott said Storm Boy, who cost $460,000 at last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale, had done well since the McLachlan win.

“That was the right lead up race I feel, he was given a good test in that, he came through it really well and he’s had a couple of nice, sharp bits of work since,” Bott said.

“We’re happy with the way he’s going.”

The field for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic will be finalised on Tuesday morning when the barrier draw takes place at Surfers Paradise.