Price, Kent sweat with Space Rider in 2025 Magic Millions Classic field
One of the leading chances for this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic is in danger of missing a run after being left as an emergency for the $3 million event.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Space Rider was drawn as first emergency for the 1200-metre event when final acceptances were taken on Monday.
The son of Zoustar charged up betting charts to a single-figure quote after a brilliant win at Eagle Farm on December 28 at his only racetrack appearance.
He was in the field of 16 prior to Saturday but was leap-frogged first by Quietly Arrogant and Forgotten Spirit after their performances at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Space Rider will be ridden by Chad Schofield if he sneaks a place in the field.
Fillies dominate this year’s field with 11 of the 16 guaranteed starters of that gender, including leading fancies La Bella Boom, Icarian Dream, O’ Ole, Memo, Vein Girl, Invincible Woman and Hi Barbie.
Last-start Sydney winner Gallo Nero is the most highly-rated of the five colts in the field of 16, second favourite in the market headed by Icarian Dream.
Barriers for the 2YO Classic will be drawn on Tuesday morning at the traditional event on the Surfers Paradise foreshore with starting positions for the $3m Magic Millions 3YO Guineas to also be decided.
That 1400m event has brought together a field of 18, plus five emergencies, headlined by the Sandown Guineas quinella of Snitzanova and Bittercreek, Magic Millions Wyong winner Bauhinia, last-start Group 3 winner Give Me Space, the in-form Tuileries and Sunlight’s son Dawn Service.
Craig Williams has declared he will be fit to take his rides aboard La Bella Boom and Street Chase in the two $3m events after being cleared of serious injury to his ankle after being stood down midway through Saturday’s Sunshine Coast meeting.
It is expected to be known by Thursday night whether the Gold Coast track will be suitable to host the meeting with remedial work being carried out on the damaged patch of turf that caused last weekend’s fixture to be transferred to the Sunshine Coast.
More Racing News
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...