Egyptian Symbol To Be Ridden Positively In Magic Millions Guineas

Trainer Bjorn Baker has revealed that he expects jockey Glyn Schofield to take up a forward position on Egyptian Symbol in the early stages of the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Glyn Schofield has been booked to ride Egyptian Symbol in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Taron Clarke

Glyn Schofield has been booked to ride Egyptian Symbol in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Taron Clarke

Egyptian Symbol has been ridden off the speed during her racing career to date and she missed the start when she was beaten as favourite in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day, but Baker told Racing Ahead that he believes the start will not be a problem for the Stratum and she will be able to take up a positive position in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas.

“I thought she ran well,” Baker said of the Egyptian Symbol’s performance in the Vo Rogue Plate.

“It was almost a bit of a question mark because it was only nine days after Wyong and that is probably a risky play to bring her up to the Gold Coast and run her so close.

“She missed the jump that day, but Pepperano did play up in the gates beside her that day and she was in there for a long time.

“That is one risk going into Saturday, but she has shown really good gate speed at times and she has trialed well.

“I will just leave it to Glyn, but we don’t want to give away the fortuitous barrier and we will probably look to be a little more positive.

“She has got good gate speed, she has a high cruising speed and the gate does bring her into the race.”

Egyptian Symbol made her racing debut with a narrow victory at Kembla Grange in July and she returned from a stint in the spelling paddock with a win in the XXXX Gold Handicap (1100m) at Gosford on November 12 and the Black Diamond Cup (1200m) at Kembla Grange on December 6.

She hit the line strongly when she finished second behind Flippant in the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes (1200m) at Wyong on December 12 and she did not have any luck in running whatsoever in the Vo Rogue Plate.

Egyptian Symbol is currently available at 2016 Magic Millions Guineas odds of $4.80 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind Sandown Guineas winner Mahuta ($3.80), while Flippant has drifted from $5 out to $6 since the barrier draw was conducted yesterday morning.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.