Unbeaten filly Assail has cemented her place at the top of the market for the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday after coming up with the number one gate.
Assail has remained the Magic Millions 2yo Classic favourite after drawing barrier 1. Photo by: Steve Hart
Big race jockey Craig Williams will be able to put the Charge Forward filly in the perfect spot for the helter skelter dash around the tight Gold Coast circuit while Craig Newitt on Caulfield youngster Clevadude will be hoping for a miracle run after drawing gate eighteen in the original drew.
Renowned two year old trainer Clarry Conners has declared Assail ready to run at her top after a sizzling gallop in between races at Warwick Farm last Saturday with Williams aboard.
“She worked nice, I’m more than happy with her – she’s ready,” Conners said.
Williams gave a glowing report following the hit out and agreed with Conners that she is ready to go.
“She is a high quality filly,” Williams said.
“The way she worked you would be happy if you were going towards the Slipper. The way that she felt and her attitude, she is a very good filly.
“I was rapt with the way she went. She is better than a Magic Millions horse, she is a high quality filly.
“I’d be happy in a Blue Diamond or a Golden Slipper the way that she felt. She is good.”
Unbeaten Eagle Farm trained filly Missy Longstocking is starting to gather more support after drawing barrier five and rider Damian Browne will also have plenty of options with the Sequalo filly, likely to be sitting hot on the heels of Assail.
Missy Longstocking scored her fourth win from as many starts winning the Group 3 $150,000 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 29 and gives trainer Liam Birchley an excellent chance to win his first Magic Millions 2yo Classic after finishing a close second with Paprika to Phelan Ready in 2009.
Trainer Kelso Wood will be happy with barrier three for last week’s Eagle Farm winner Real Surreal with Michael Cahill taking over from Matthew Palmer.
Gai Waterhouse was out of luck at the barrier drew coming up with thirteen for Sweet Idea and nineteen for Certitude.
Sweet Idea will have to use her early speed for James McDonald to take a up a prominent position while Tommy Berry will be hoping that Certitude doesn’t dawdle out of the barriers again like she did at Wyong when fourth behind Assail in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1100m) at Wyong on December 20.
Assail has firmed into $2.80 to be a clear cut favourite over Clevadude who has drifted to $3.80 with Missy Longstocking and Real Surreal sharing the next line of betting at $9.
