Trainer Jason Petch has confirmed that Claro El Banco will take up the running in the 2015 Wyong Magic Millions Classic, but he admits that the promising gelding may find it tough to do it at both ends in the $200,000 race at Wyong tomorrow.
Claro El Banco will face the toughest test of her racing career to date in the 2015 Wyong Magic Millions Classic. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Claro El Banco never looked comfortable when he was settled towards the tail of the field in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on October 4, but he looked like a different horse when he led from start to finish in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m) at Ballarat on November 21.
Petch told Racing Ahead that he expects Claro El Banco will be a leader throughout his racing career and he believes that the son of Statue Of Liberty will face the toughest test trying to hold off the likes of Capitalist in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic.
“You can’t take this horse out of his usual racing pattern, so we will jump and roll forward,” Petch said.
“That is the way that he will roll.
“It is going to be a bit tough for him because this horse has put on some weight since his win at Ballarat and it is a step up in trip, but we had to do that because he has the golden ticket into the big one on January 9th.
“He might just be a little bit susceptible in the last bit and obviously Capitalist is Golden Slipper and Magic Millions favourite and Paul Perry has a nice horse in the race too.
“It will be a good test for him and if he can run top three tomorrow I will be really pleased heading into the Magic Millions on January 9th.”
While Petch admits that Claro El Banco faces a tough challenge in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic, he is happy with the physical condition of the juvenile ahead of his third race start.
Petch said that Claro El Banco had no problems acclimatizing to his new conditions in Wyong and he believes that he took plenty of benefit from his maiden race win in the Ballarat Magic Millions Classic.
“He travelled up there really well and settled in really well,” Petch said.
“He is eating his head-off and he is as bright as a button.
“He hasn’t lost any weight and he is in great order.
“The intention was to use him up from a wide gate and go forward.
“He had to do it at both ends, but Froggy did ease up on him at the last bit because he had the race shot to pieces and he didn’t need to do too much more knowing what is in front of him.”
Claro El Banco is currently available at 2015 Wyong Magic Millions Classic odds of $26 with Ladbrokes, while Capitalist ($1.35) is a dominant favourite from Niccolance ($5), Conchita ($10), Preferito ($21) and Magical Milly ($21).
