Trainer Chris Waller believes that the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday is the perfect race for progressive gelding Velrosso.
Velrosso is a clear favourite for the 2014 Magic Millions Cup that will be run at the Gold Coast this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Velrosso resumed with a fifth place finish in the Fly Handicap (1000m) at the Randwick Kensington track on December 20 and Waller is confident that he will improve when stepped up to 1400 metres this weekend.
There is plenty of speed in the Magic Millions Cup field and Velrosso is expected to be settled towards the tail of the field; with Waller confident that the Gold Coast track will suit the fast-finishing racing pattern of the General Nediym gelding.
“It was obviously only a 1000 metres and since then he has had a trial,” Waller told Racing Ahead.
“He has been set for the race and it is the perfect race for him.
“There is good prizemoney and he is second-up over 1400 metres, which I think is a great distance for him.
“He has drawn well and I think that he will be attacking the line.
“Last Saturday they were hitting the line strong from the back of the field, which will suit his racing pattern.”
Velrosso made his racing debut with a victory in the Waite Foods Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens in 2011 as a two-year-old and was unable to record a race win during his three-year-old season; finishing third in the Listed Fireball Quality Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 3 and the Dunkirk Handicap (1550m) at the Randwick Kensington track on April 25.
He returned to the races with a narrow victory in the Mounties Group Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens and made it two wins in a row with a tight win over Aeronautical in the TAB Sprint Handicap (1200m).
Velrosso was unable to add another victory to his racing resume during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival and spent a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock before returning to the races in June last years; winning the IPhone App Handicap (1200m) and the Hurlstone Park RSL Club Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.
There are plenty of talented gallopers in the 2014 Magic Millions Cup, but Velrosso ($3.60) remains on top of the betting market from last start winner General Exhibit ($5), Matthew Dunn-trained The White Hope ($5.50) and George Moore Stakes winner Lucky Hussler ($7).
