Despite being a Magic Millions purchase, Dansonate is ineligible for the $2m Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on January 14.

Connections of the $12,000 cheapy, who won today’s Channel Seven Handicap (2YO, 1000m) at Eagle Farm, didn’t pay up for the Gold Coast feature.

Today’s first prize $32,000 ,would have gone a long way getting the Snippetson juvenile a start but it is a case of c’est la vie for trainer Peter Balzen.

“He’s done a good job already as this is the first time he’s been in work,” Balzen said.

“He came straight into work after being broken in.”

Jockey Ryan Wiggins settled Dansonate second behind the Toowoomba first start Auchenflower.

That filly, at enormous odds, found plenty in the straight and Wiggins had to ride hard in pursuit.

It was only in the final 50m that Dansonate got the upper hand.

Congo ran on the best of the rest to gain third.

Wiggins conceded he had a few concerns at the top of the straight.

“I wasn’t too confident of catching the leader when she darted clear,” he said.

“Auchenflower only had 50 kilos and my bloke had an extra six kilos to carry.

“He’s a nice horse and has a bit of a future.”

Balzen said Dansonate was the first city winner from dam Quickstep Lady.

Her three previous foals had been winners at provincial meetings.

“His sire, Snippetson, has done a good job and is second on the (2yo) sires’ list,” Balzen said.

The Gold Coast trainer will recommend Dansonate be spelled.

“There’s a 1200 metre race coming up in two weeks but I’d rather spell him immediately,” he said.

“You can’t be greedy.”

Dansonate has franked the form of top MM Classic hope Sizzling.

That horse defeated Dansonate by six lengths at Eagle Farm on November 12.