Magic Millions Veteran Phelan Ready for Cup

After winning the 2009 Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m), Phelan Ready has returned to the Gold Coast three times during the summer’s richest meeting.

Trainer Jason McLachlan is confident Phelan Ready can win the Magic Millions Cup on his fourth attempt.

Trainer Jason McLachlan is confident Phelan Ready can win the Magic Millions Cup on his fourth attempt. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The eight-year-old gelding has run in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) in 2011, 2013, and 2014 but has yet to win the $400,000 sprint-mile race. His best result was in last year’s edition, finishing just a nose behind winner Velrosso.

Trainer Jason McLachlan is confident Phelan Ready can finally score his first win in the Cup on Saturday after winning two of his past three starts.

“I couldn’t be happier with him. He got beaten a lip in the Cup last year behind Velrosso,” McLachlan told Sky Racing.

“The funny thing is the only worry I have is him drawing barrier two. I don’t know how the rails will play.”

“If he had drawn the middle of the field he would have been something to bet on.”

Phelan Ready is one of 14 horses set to line-up at the Gold Coast this afternoon for the 2015 Magic Millions Cup, jumping from barrier two with Jason Tarrant to ride. He is on the fourth line of betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at odds of $7 to win.

The gelding won the Desleigh Forster Racing Handicap (1400m) in August – his first win in nearly five years – before also winning the XXXX Gold Handicap (1200m) last time out on December 20.

McLachlan believes he has only continued to bloom since winning the open handicap and will continue onto the Brisbane Winter Carnival after the Magic Millions.

“Why not? He has won two of his past three starts and is racing as well as ever,” the trainer said.

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