Ninja's odds slashed to win 2026 Magic Millions Guineas after Vo Rogue Plate win
A master of surprise and efficiency, a ninja strikes only when the moment is right, and that philosophy played out perfectly at Eagle Farm.
Ninja ($2.30F) delivered a stunning display, the three-year-old gelding powering to a near five-length victory in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) and strengthening his grip on favouritism for the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast.
Partnered by Tommy Berry for the first time, Ninja claimed his third win from just five starts, vindicating Michael Freedman’s strategy of spacing his runs after the gelding finished third in the Pierata Plate (1200m) at Doomben on December 6.
Ninja was slow into stride and settled well back as the field approached the home bend.
Berry then allowed the gelding to build into his work, circling the field before surging down the centre of the Eagle Farm straight, producing a margin and performance that caught the eye of all watching.
“You always have to have Plan B but that wasn’t even a Plan B for me,” Tommy Berry said.
“He was so well behaved today and he stood in the gates beautifully and quiet but when the starter called ‘all clear’, usually the gates open not long after.
“I gave him a bit of a squeeze to jump but there was a hold-up so he hit the front of the gates.
“He took a step back and lunged out. We were hoping for an easy run today with two weeks’ time in mind and he really only sprinted 500-metres.”
In the wake of the dominant win, bookmakers moved quickly, cutting Ninja’s Guineas price from $4 to $2 for the January 17 showdown.
The post Ninja slices the opposition in Vo Rogue Plate first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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