Heinrich counts down to Magic Millions

Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich begins the countdown to hopefully her second Magic Millions victory when her colt Eliminator runs in the Listed $100,000 Origin Kebabs Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

Heinrich took out the $1.64m two year old Classic in 2010 and if Eliminator can repeat his eight and quarter length Gold Coast win at Eagle Farm tomorrow, the Choisir youngster will be well in commission for the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 12.

“He is the style of horse for the Magic Millions because he jumps and leads but we’ll know a lot more after Saturday. If he can put paid to them then I’ll start to get really excited because I am sure the 1200m won’t be a problem to him,” Heinrich said.

Eliminator can guarantee himself a start in the Magic Millions if he can secure the $64,000 first prizemoney cheque for winning tomorrow and miss the last minute rush to qualify for the Gold Coast.

The Group 3 $150,000 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 29 offers a great opportunity for the two years to gain valuable prizemoney to gain a spot in the final field of sixteen and Heinrich won’t be forced to give Elinimator another tough run if she doesn’t think he needs it.

“We’ve only got another three weeks of qualifying before we get to the Bruce McLachlan Stakes which is probably D-day for a lot of horses so it will be interesting to see what comes out of the woodworks over the next three weeks,” Heinrich said.

One of Eliminator’s possible Magic Millions rivals is the Liam Birchley trained Missy Longstocking who created a huge impression with a seven lengths win over another one of Heinrich’s youngsters, Moroccan Rose.

Missy Longstocking will be on show again tomorrow and will start a short priced favourite in the Listed $100,000 Gaythorne RSL Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m).

The Sequalo filly will be looking for her third win from three starts scoring by five and three quarter lengths on debut at Toowoomba before her runaway Eagle Farm win.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.