All roads have led to this as the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival hits its high point on Saturday with Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
Boasting more than $13 million in prize money and bonuses across a high-quality 10-race program, the meeting has entrenched itself as one of the standout days on the Australian racing calendar, drawing interest from racing fans worldwide.
The feature events are the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, each worth $3 million and famed for identifying future stars of the sport.
I’ve gone through every race on the Magic Millions Day card and outlined my top selections and best bets below.
BUCKEYE (2) looks to have been deliberately set for the rich Magic Millions Maiden Plate by the astute O’Shea & Charlton stable.
The Zousain gelding resumes after an encouraging run in September where he enjoyed a nice run over this distance at Canterbury before working strongly to the line to finish a nose second.
He’s had two trials leading into this with the most recent seeing him hit out strongly to score a convincing win.
From the good draw, Zac Lloyd should be able to give him every chance on speed.
Selections: 2-9-5-12
KING GUTHO (1) returns to the Gold Coast aiming to improve on last year’s narrow second in the Magic Millions Country Cup.
The Joe Cleary-trained gelding comes off a strong win at Queanbeyan in The Thunderbolt, a race that rates well against this.
A recent trial will have brought him on nicely.
While the draw isn’t ideal, the return of Tommy Berry and a solid tempo should allow him to find a suitable position.
Selections: 1-4-10-13
The Magic Millions Debut is always a challenging race to assess with every runner making their first appearance under race conditions.
I’m happy to side with WENDELL (4) who will be well prepared by the Waterhouse & Bott stable.
The Written Tycoon colt heads north after an impressive Rosehill trial win where he showed a sharp turn of foot and plenty more in reserve.
Given the stable’s riding patterns, Adam Hyernomius is likely to push forward early.
Selections: 4-5-1-6
MISS JOELENE (1) is in terrific form and looks well placed to improve on her neck third in the Magic Millions Subzero last year.
The Kelly Schweida-trained mare stormed home to win at Eagle Farm three starts ago before being unlucky next start when going down narrowly.
She returned to the winner’s stall last Saturday with a powerful late surge in The Wave, mirroring her lead-up to this race in 2025.
Despite the wide gate, Cejay Graham knows her well and she should be charging late.
Selections: 1-3-10-2
JENNI THE FOX (4) ventures north for the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race following a dominant black-type victory.
The Lucy Yeomans-trained mare settled closer than usual in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes and the tactic paid off as she powered away late.
Her earlier form was sound despite lacking luck, and she arrives here rock-hard fit.
Craig Williams takes the reins and should be able to settle her handy from barrier 2.
Selections: 4-9-1-3
HIDDEN WEALTH (1) has enjoyed an excellent preparation with two wins from three starts.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding resumed with a fast-finishing win before racing a touch flat second-up.
He bounced back strongly last start when proving too tough in the Listed Falvelon under 60kg.
He also won on this day last year in the Magic Millions QTIS Open.
Tommy Berry should be able to land him in a prominent position in this year’s Magic Millions Snippets.
Selections: 1-4-2-6
ZIP LOCK (1) lines up in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic chasing a perfect record.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained colt has already measured up against two of the major players, Itchintogo and Tornado Valley, defeating both in his two career starts. Importantly, he’s also shown he handles the 1200m.
He was impressive on debut at Doomben, where he settled back before charging home to overhaul Itchintogo over 1200m, drawing away to win by 1.57 lengths.
That performance was reinforced last start in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm. After settling just off the speed, Zip Lock unleashed a strong late burst and proved too good for Tornado Valley, scoring by 1.55 lengths.
With a favourable draw and Martin Harley to ride, he looks well placed to get the right run.
Selections: 1-5-7-3
NINJA (1) draws awkwardly but still looks the one to beat.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding was outstanding last start in the Vo Rogue Plate, unleashing a devastating finish.
He was unlucky when resuming in the Pierata Plate and appears to be peaking now.
If he can slot in with cover, he’ll take plenty of stopping.
Selections: 1-11-6-2
NEED SOME LUCK (4) is a model of consistency and has returned this preparation in excellent order.
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding relished the heavy conditions first-up at Flemington when claiming the Listed Fisher Stakes before turning in a forgivable effort second-up in the Ladbrokes Meteorite after being caught wide for the duration.
He bounced back in emphatic fashion last start in the Buffering at Eagle Farm, letting down strongly to score by a length.
That victory maintained his perfect record over this trip.
With six weeks between runs leading into last start, he should arrive here cherry ripe for the Magic Millions Cup.
Selections: 4-1-2-7
ROSELYN’S STAR (14) resumes and steps to 1200m for the first time but profiles well.
The O’Shea & Charlton-trained gelding ended last prep with a strong Rosehill win and has trialled impressively since.
His latest hit-out was particularly sharp.
Zac Lloyd should find a nice spot just off the speed.
Selections: 14-3-5-12