Waterhouse/Bott quartet up for 2026 Magic Millions Classic challenge
Having previously prepared the Magic Millions favourite, Adrian Bott takes a different approach this year with a quartet of longer-priced runners in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m).
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained team will be represented by Knightsbridge, Shiki, Lumbini and By Choice in Saturday’s $3 million Gold Coast feature.
Bott, who teamed with Waterhouse to win the race in 2024 with Storm Boy, believes all four runners bring genuine credentials.
“You can make a good case for each of them going into the run,” Bott said.
“I won’t sort of put a top seed but we’ve probably taken confidence off the horses that have won their most recent runs.”
Shiki leads the stable’s market charge following her Gold Pearl success and is quoted at $12 with Tim Clark engaged.
“Shiki, there’s good timing about her win, she looked to do it very well. She looked very sharp, so a lot to like about that,” Bott said.
“Knightsbridge is a horse I’ve always had an opinion of. Things didn’t work out for him in the spring.
“I thought he really came back and stamped his authority there at Randwick (first up). It’s 1000 to 1200 (metres), but I think that’ll suit him.
“Lumbini, I think, could be forgiven for her run there last time.
“She might have been a touch disappointing on face value, but she still ran very well behind the favourite (Warwoven), and her first up win was explosive.
“I thought she’s improved off that run.
“Similarly, By Choice was excellent first up.
“She had no luck behind Shiki there the other day, she was wide and covered ground and just sort of lost her balance around the turn, but she was good late so she can easily bounce back.”
Knightsbridge, Lumbini and By Choice all sit between $21 and $26 in betting, with elite riders James McDonald, Craig Williams and Jamie Melham booked.
Betting interest continues to build across trusted horse racing betting sites ahead of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.
Warwoven has firmed into $1.90 favouritism, with Zip Lock ($6) and Tornado Valley ($9.50) the only other runners in single figures.
The post Tulloch Lodge quartet up for Magic Millions Classic challenge first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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