Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic

Posted by RS NewsWire at 2:31pm on January 16th

Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday.

The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years.

Purchased for $60,000 at the 2025 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, Itchintogo arrives at the Classic after a decisive 4.6-length win in the Gold Nugget.

“I’m really happy with him. It was always the plan, the seven-day backup,” Gollan said.

“When he won the Phelan Ready, I just thought he did a bit wrong that day and I wanted to take my time with him and get him back and get him to that race last Saturday, to back up into this.

“It’s been a great formula. Arguably, over the last 15 years, it’s the best formula.

“A lot of horses have done it because they had to to get into the race. I’ve done it by design – I remember when Tony McEvoy with Sunlight, he did it by design.”

While Gollan scratched Skirt The Law before winning the Classic in 2023, he said Itchintogo needed additional race education.

“I just felt I had to off that win in the Phelan Ready, he just did a bit wrong,” Gollan said.

“I was a bit nervous going to 1200 (metres) at Eagle Farm (in the B J McLachlan) with him if he was going to do things wrong.

“Last week, he didn’t leave out any concerns for me.

“The horses that get to this race, the ones I’ve had in the previous years, they’ve just kept improving into the race and he’s on that same trajectory.”

Drawn barrier 11, Itchintogo will be partnered by Ryan Maloney, with Gollan expecting the colt to use his speed early.

“It’s tricky. I mean, I would rather draw one, but he’s got good gate speed, he’ll put himself on pace,” Gollan said.

“Most of these horses have taken a trail and have a turn of foot, so I’m not sure who’ll be up there, but I’ll be bouncing out and trying to leave out my barrier quickly.”

Betting interest is building across respected horse racing betting sites ahead of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.

Itchintogo is listed at $15 for Saturday’s feature, with unbeaten colt Warwoven the $1.80 favourite.

The post Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

More Racing News

New gear for Lara Antipova's Caulfield Guineas bid

The Mark Walker stable is implementing an equipment change in their quest for a Group 1 triumph with Lara Antipova.A cross-over nose band will be applied to the filly for the first time when Lara Antipova competes in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.Following a victory over 1400m...

Today

She's A Hustler set for Caulfield Cup challenge

Grahame Begg, the trainer of She's A Hustler, and her connections are once again anticipating a strong showing from the mare over a longer distance.She's A Hustler is slated to compete at 2400 metres for the second time in her career when she contests the Group 1 Caulfield Cup this...

Today

Randwick rain a positive sign for Pride and Ceolwulf's King Charles III Stakes defence

Heavy overnight rain in Sydney has been a welcome development for trainer Joe Pride, who is optimistic that the worsening conditions will favour Ceolwulf's bid for a third consecutive King Charles III Stakes title.Randwick was inundated with heavy rain on Wednesday, and while forecasts vary, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts...

Today

Enfjaar's jockey Ray Dawson arrives, feeling calm ahead of Caulfield Cup

Jockey Ray Dawson has jetted into Melbourne for his maiden ride in the Caulfield Cup, marking his first visit to Australia. Despite the long flight from England, the 33-year-old rider wasted no time in connecting with Enfjaar at Werribee, the horse he will partner in Saturday's 2400-metre feature race.Dawson landed...

Today

Barrier draws present challenges for Ka Ying Rising and Tempted in The Everest

The task of defending his title in the prestigious Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday has trainer David Hayes more preoccupied with the forecast than Ka Ying Rising's wide barrier.Hong Kong's superstar Ka Ying Rising drew gate 11 for the lucrative event, while his...

Yesterday

Melbourne Cup: 58 stayers left in the hunt after second declarations

The number of potential Melbourne Cup candidates has been trimmed to 58 after the second round of declarations closed.Ciaron Maher has a significant presence with 14 horses still in contention for the Melbourne Cup, which will be contested over 3200m at Flemington on November 3. His team includes Shockletz and...

Yesterday

Cross Tasman primed for Randwick success

Tom Charlton anticipates Cross Tasman will go one better this Saturday at Royal Randwick, finding an ideal race to add to his impressive record.The five-year-old gelding has been a picture of consistency, accumulating four victories and six top-three finishes across eleven starts. His return from a spell has seen him...

Yesterday

Caulfield Cup contenders receive mixed barrier draws

Australia's premier racing stables are set to field a significant portion of the Caulfield Cup lineup.A full capacity field of 18 runners, plus four emergencies, have officially accepted for the 150th running of the prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Cup over 2400 metres on Saturday.Ciaron Maher's stable boasts five of the...

Yesterday

Regal Ambition's Thousand Guineas bid faces wide gate challenge

Despite drawing barrier 11 for Saturday's Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, jockey Michael Dee is not deterred and is enthusiastic about his chances with Lindsay Park filly Regal Ambition.The horse and jockey combination has already secured two wins from as many starts this season, and they are now set...

Yesterday

Thomas Carberry targets second VRC Oaks triumph

The Ballarat racing community celebrated trainer Thomas Carberry after Strictly Business clinched the VRC Oaks at Flemington.This significant win a year ago represented Carberry's most notable achievement, and the horseman from Ballarat is eager to return to the same Group 1 event, a 2500m race at Flemington scheduled for November...

Yesterday