The Gerald Ryan trained Aerobar will head to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Carnival after scoring an upset win in the $100,000 Wyong Magic Millions 3yo Stakes (1200m) at Wyong today.
Jockey James McDonald steered Aerobar to an upset win in the Wyong Magic Millions 3yo Stakes at Wyong. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
With the blinkers on for the first time Aerobar ($16) was able to stalk the $2.30 favourite Echo Gal who set the pace with Tommy Berry in the saddle.
James McDonald on Aerobar sat at the girth of the leader and once heads were turned for home slowly gained the upper hand to score a decisive one and a quarter lengths win on the line.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Echo Gal held on for second in a tight photo over the Bjorn Baker trained Cyclone ($9.50) who made up many lengths from the rear of the field for Blake Shinn.
Winning trainer Gerald Ryan said that the addition of blinkers today got the desired result and he will now head to the Gold Coast on January 10.
But Ryan will take the unusual step of pitting the Flying Spur filly up against the open class sprinters in the $175,000 Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) as opposed to running against her own age in the $1m Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m).
“If she go to the Gold Coast we will go to the Open sprint race. She won’t go any further. I think after the other day we learnt that she is a sprinter not a horse that will run 1400m,” Ryan said.
“I love Magic Millions. It has been terrific for me. Wyong has been a lucky track for me, we love the Magic Millions Sales and we go there and try to find these up and running horses. It’s a great sale.”
Ryan was pleased to see the blinkers had a winning effect but lamented that he should have put the head gear on the filly before today.
“I said to the Flowers (owners) I reckon when she gets in amongst horses she doesn’t like it and is a dead set blinker horse,” Ryan said.
“I just took too long in putting them on.”
Echo Gal put up a good fight at her first run back from a spell and will benefit greatly from the run as she heads to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas.
