The 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic field and barrier draw have been completed and we are set for a particularly outstanding edition of the lucrative race on Saturday afternoon.
Plenty of interest has already been shown for a number of runners in our 2017 Magic Millions 2YO Classic market, but it is looming as a race between three; Newcastle-based Jonker ($4.50), Classy local Ef Troop ($4.60) and star filly Sunlight ($4.20).
BET NOW: 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic
Sunlight has only made three competitive appearances at the races so far, but she has more than stamped herself as a filly to follow and should prove extremely difficult to beat in Saturday’s Gold Coast feature.
Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, the daughter of Zoustar worked to the line well to finish third behind fellow Magic Millions entrant Nomothaj ($10) in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) in October and was immediately put away, with a view towards this race.
Resuming for a dominant five-length triumph in the Early Bird GA Magic Millions Handicap (900m) at the Gold Coast on December 23rd, Sunlight put a smart field to the sword over 1100m last weekend and should only improve off the run.
Luke Currie has ridden Sunlight in each of her three career starts to date and will retain the ride in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but the filly will need to replicate the run of last year’s champion Houtzen to overcome a wide draw (barrier 15) and take up the running.
Jonker is yet to taste anything but success during his short, but impressive racing career so far and will have the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle on Saturday.
The Spirit Of Boom colt posted an easy winner in the Max Lees Classic (900m) at Newcastle on debut in early December, before booking his ticket north with a truly outstanding performance in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Guineas (1100m) on December 21st, which result in a four-and-a-half length win.
Low barrier draws are not necessary to the favour of horses at the Gold Coast, but Bowman should be able to find a position on pace with the colt and everything suggests that Jonker will be right in the finish of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Interestingly the only other horse currently available at single-figure Magic Millions 2YO Classic odds, Ef Troop drew the carpark (barrier 18) on Tuesday morning and will require plenty of luck to keep his unbeaten career in tact on Saturday.
Also by up-and-coming stallion Spirit Of Boom, Ef Troop showed above-average ability with a nine-length trial win at Doomben on October 31st and franked that performance with a smart win in the Padua Old Boys Handicap (1050m) on debut.
The gelding again trialled exceptionally in early in December and made a perfect transition to black type company when he won the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1110m) by nearly six lengths, last time out on December 16th.
Trainer Tony Gollan cannot fault the condition of the exciting two-year-old, who will be partnered by young Brisbane-based hoop Michael McGillivray.
There is plenty of value for the remaining horses in our Magic Millions 2YO Classic market, with the likes of Meryl ($15), Bondi ($16) and Crockett ($31) all worth consideration at each-way quotes.