Magic Millions Classic An Option For Old Trieste

Trainer Andrew Noblet has confirmed that he would consider running Old Trieste in the 2015 Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast if the promising juvenile runs well in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat on Saturday.

Stephen Baster has been booked to ride Old Trieste in the 2014 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Stephen Baster has been booked to ride Old Trieste in the 2014 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Old Trieste stamped himself as a horse to watch when he recorded an impressive one and a half lengths victory in a barrier trial at Cranbourne on October 20 and he made his racing debut with a second place finish behind Prompt Return in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.

Nobel told TVN that he was impressed with the effort of Old Trieste in the Maribyrnong Plate, but he said that the Hinchinbrook colt would still need to produce a strong performance in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic to be worthy of a trip to the Gold Coast for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

“He will have to run well to warrant a trip,” Noblet said.

Old Trieste jumped from the gates awkwardly when he made his racing debut in the Maribyrnong Plate and he was settled just behind the leaders in the inside division before he was asked for an extra effort by jockey Stephen Baster.

The talented colt loomed as the winner at the 100 metre mark, but Prompt Return was too strong in the final stages of the race, but he looked to be running away from the rest of the field on the line.

The Magic Millions Clockwise Classic offers a different challenge from the Maribyrnong Plate as it is run in the opposite way of going from traditional Victorian racing to help the two-year-olds get ready for a potential trip to Queensland for the Magic Millions Classic, but Noblet is happy with the way that Old Trieste has handled his work over the opposite way of going and hopes that the two-year-old is able to turn-the-tables on Prompt Return.

“He gets around that way pretty good,” Noblet said.

“He’s just got to get the start from that gate.

“I’m happy he’s in one, now he just has to utilise it.

“The winner the other day (Prompt Return) is pretty smart, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Prompt Return is currently available at 2014 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic odds of $2 and is a clear favourite from Old Trieste ($6), Carriages ($6.50), Moral Outrage ($8.50) and Eclat ($13).

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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.