The Team Hawkes trained Invisible is seen as a top chance in Saturday’s $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast after a debut win over 1200m at Canterbury on December 28.
Unencumbered will be hard to beat in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic. Photo by Steve Hart.
While co-trainer Michael Hawkes is giving his All American colt an excellent chance on Saturday, he foresees the Magic Millions Classic field as being an even bunch of two years old with no stand out performer to date.
“This is a very open race – there is not just one horse to beat,” Hawkes told The Daily Telegraph.
“It all depends on the barriers and good rides. The horse that gets the right run will win.”
But Hawkes has identified a couple of smart two year olds that will be hard to beat with the Brian Guy trained Stroak and the Sydney colt Unencumbered two of the top chances.
“We are very happy with how Invisible is shaping up for the race but I do think Bryan Guy’s two-year-old, Stroak, is a chance,” Hawkes said.
“I thought Stroak was unlucky behind Unencumbered last start, it was a massive run.
“He is a player if he has trained on while you can’t knock Unencumbered.
“All you can do is win and Unencumbered is very professional and has the score on the board.’
The Bjorn Baker trained Unencumbered made it four wins from five starts when he beat Stroak by a neck in the Group 3 $150,000 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 28.
While Stroak suffered his first defeat from three starts when runner-up to Unencumbered after winning his two previous Doomben starts.
Even though Invisbile has only had one race start, Hawkes is confident that the colt will handle the travelling and the heat and is due to leave Sydney for the Gold Coast on Thursday following his final gallop on Tuesday.
“He has been to Melbourne and back a couple of times already and is quite a good traveller,” Hawkes said.
“He’s also such a relaxed colt and we are confident he will cope with the heat.”
Invisible has progressed well since his debut win and Hawkes expects the youngster to come though his final gallop this week in top order.
“Invisible is nice and bright, he’s ticking over well,” Hawkes said.
“He will have a decent gallop (tomorrow) morning, that will be his last hit-out before the race.
“Provided all goes well in that gallop, he deserves a crack at the Magic Millions and is booked to leave for the Gold Coast on Thursday.”
Invisible’s Canterbury win has him placed as the second favourite at $6 for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic behind B.J. McLachlan winner Unencumbered at $4.
Melbourne colt Nordic Empire is next in the betting at $9 while Stroak shares the next line of betting with Geromayo at $10.
I Am The General, Sagatona and Oakleigh Girl are all marked at $11.
