Expensive yearling Chubbz will make his race debut in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1100m) at Wyong on Thursday.
Blake Shinn, above, will ride first starter Chubbz in the Wyong Magic Millions 2yo Classic at Wyong. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Warwick Farm trainer Bryce Heys paid $600,000 for Chubbz at this year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sales on the Gold Coast and is keen to get him to the races before Christmas to get a gauge on his ability.
“I was keen to race him before Christmas but thought it would be ideal to avoid a Saturday contest first-up,” Heys told Racing Network.
“This is obviously a rich race but it can traditionally be a touch weaker and is a good starting point.”
“It has always been the plan to have him run before Christmas so we are close to achieving that,”
The More Than Ready colt, out of Polaway, a daughter of 2003 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success, looked good in winning an 800m Wyong trial on December with Josh Parr and Heys is hoping that he will be able to reproduce that on race day.
“He is a two-year-old with good ability and while I think he will be an improved horse next year, it is vital in my opinion to get him to the races now and this race is a great opportunity,’ Heys said.
“When you buy a colt like this, you have the intention to be competing in strong races and this is a good way to start his career.”
Chubbz sat off the leaders in his trial and finished strongly with the blinkers on and he will wear the head gear again when he faces the starter for the time on Thursday.
“It was a tradesman like trial win and I wanted him to have a look at Wyong because it can be a tricky track for young horses,” Heys said.
Blake Shinn will take over from Parr on race day and Chubbz will jump from barrier five in the twelve horse field.
Half of the Wyong Magic Millions 2yo Classic runners are first starters with the Hawkes Racing Team saddling up debutant Surf Seeker.
Surf Seeker by Wanted out of the Imperial Prince mare Surfari was a $120,000 yearling purchase from the Magic Millions Yearling Sales on the Gold Coast and has trialled once for a second over 740m at Warwick Farm on December 9.
Of the youngsters that have raced, the Nick Olive trained Single Gaze is the only one to have visited the winner’s stall with a one length victory in a 1100m two year old race at Rosehill on November 1.
David Hayes and Tom Dabernig have brought up Moral Outrage and have put the blinkers on after the Stratum colt finished third to Carriages in the $200,000 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m) at Ballarat on November 22.
And the Kevin Moses trained Zoutenant will also be wearing the shades after finishing second on debut as favourite over 1100m at Rosehill on December 6.
