Trainer Tony McEvoy’s pair of two year olds, Despatch and Nistaan, are both on track as they head towards the $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Madeenaty, above, is the early favourite for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
There was only a nose separating Despatch and Nistaan when they finished first and second in the $200,000 Magic Millions 2yo Clockwise Classic (1000m) ay Ballarat on November 19 and McEvoy immediately said both colts would be heading to the Gold Coast in January.
McEvoy’s stable foreman Michael Shepherdson was on hand at Ballarat and was very happy with the result.
“They are both very exciting types,” Shepherdson said.
“They’re different types as well.”
“That was the idea, giving them as much experience as we can and it’s most important to get the prizemoney to make the Gold Coast.”
“I’m sure Tony will be throwing them on the float and heading up there now.”
McEvoy has had Despatch and Nistaan ticking over in Sydney since and the pair are ready to head to Queensland for their final Magic Millions preparation.
“They are here with me in Sydney now,” McEvoy said.
“They just had a canter around this morning and they go tomorrow night up on the float up to Brisbane and they are going to campaign from there.”
“I’ll look at giving them a run on the 17th or 24th in Brisbane and that will be their run to familiarise them up there and then they’ll go to the Magic Millions on the back of that.”
High profile jockey Luke Nolen said that Despatch would improve greatly on his debut win in the Magic Millions 2yo Clockwise Classic and expects the Written Tycoon colt to claim many more wins.
“When he got to the front he lost his way a little, under riding,” Nolen said.
“But first time at the races and going that way, it was a good effort.”
“It won’t be his last win either.”
Despatch and Nicconi colt Nistaan were both having their first start in the Magic Millions 2yo Clockwise Classic and both are marked as $21 chances in the early market order for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast.
The Lindsay Park trained Madeenaty is the early $6 favourite ahead of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Invincible Star at $9 and Chris Munce’s Ours To Keep at $13.
Early market order for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6 Madeenaty, $9 Invincible Star, $13 Ours To Keep, $15 Chauffeur, Invader, $17 Cellargirl, Pretty Fast, $19 Champ Elect, $21 Bring It Home Pop, Eshtiraak, Despatch, Nistaan, Falconic, $26 All Too Huiying, American Genius, Chosen Assassin, Condor, Debonairly, End Of The Road, Exceeds, From Within, Goodfella, Hualalai, Madam Moustache, Ready For Glory, Regal Embrace, Single Bullet, $34 or better the rest.
