The 2016 Magic Millions Guineas barrier draw has led to some major changes to the betting market for the $1 million event after leading chances Mahuta and Flippant were both allocated outside gates.
Flippant was one of the big losers of the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas barrier draw. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Mahuta was set to start the Magic Millions Guineas as a dominant favourite following his impressive wins in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 17, the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 31 and the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Sandown on November 14, but his price has lengthened after he was allocated barrier 20 for the feature race that will be held at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Flippant was on the second line of the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas betting market, but she has also been on the drift after being allocated barrier 19.
The Hinchinbrook filly failed to beat home a runner in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17 – her only race start during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival – but she returned to her best form to record an impressive victory in the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes (1200m) on December 17.
Other big losers from the barrier draw include Chris Waller-trained Sir Bacchus (barrier 21), Madotti (barrier 16), Sagaronne (barrier 15), Flamboyant Lass (barrier 14) and Star Of The Night (barrier 17).
The big winner from the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas barrier draw was Bjorn Baker-trained Egyptian Symbol, who is now on the second line of betting after she was allocated an ideal gate in barrier six.
Egyptian Symbol started her racing career with three straight victories at Kembla Grange and Gosford before she hit the line strongly to finish second behind Flippant in the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes.
The Stratum filly started the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) as a dominant favourite, but she did not have a great deal of luck in running and she could finish no better than third behind Madotti and Most Important.
One of the most interesting horses in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas field is Desleigh Forster-trained I’m Belucci and he is set to receive an ideal run into the race from barrier nine.
The 1400 metres of the Magic Millions Guineas is short of the pet distance of I’m Belucci, but he showed what he is capable of when he finished a gallant second behind Vanbrugh in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 10.
Dram Of Red (barrier seven), In His Stride (barrier two), Typing (barrier eight), Single Gaze (barrier five), Atalanta Miss (barrier one) and We’re Sure were some of the other winners of the Magic Millions Guineas barrier draw.
