Outstanding Magic Millions Cup Field Released

The 2016 Magic Millions Cup field has been released and a number of talented horses are set to contest the $1 million event that will be held at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Lucky Hussler is set to return to the races in the 2016 Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Lucky Hussler is set to return to the races in the 2016 Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Lucky Hussler will carry the top weight of 60.5 kilograms in the Magic Millions Cup and he is set to return to the races for the first time since what was a very successful 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

The Husson gelding started his preparation with fair efforts in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 12 and the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 26 before he claimed a second Group 1 victory with an outstanding performance in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.

Lucky Hussler was unable to replicate that performance in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 or the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 7, but he has impressed trainer Darren Weir with his performance in recent jump-outs.

Fontelina is yet to record a maiden win at Group 1 level, despite being narrowly denied on a couple of occasions, but he is set to take winning form into the Magic Millions Cup.

The Testa Rossa gelding was transferred from the care of Anthony Cummings to Tony Gollan after he failed to fire in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on June 6 and he made a slow start for his new trainer, but he returned to a semblance of his best form with a third place finish in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) on November 28 before he took out the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at the same venue on December 12.

Gerald Ryan-trained Bachman, the progressive Open Book and Gary Portelli-trained Testashadow are also set to take winning form into the Magic Millions Cup.

One of the most interesting horses in the 2016 Magic Millions Cup field is Bull Point, who is set to make his debut for David Vandyke in the $1 million event.

Bull Point has been touted as a potential Group 1 winner since he finished third in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m), but he has been frustrating as an older horse and was transferred from Gai Waterhouse to Chris Waller to Tony McEvoy and finally to Vandyke.

Spurtonic scored an upset win in the Magic Millions Cup last year and he is back for another crack at the race last year, while Strawberry Boy was only narrowly denied in the same race.

Other notable horses in the 2016 Magic Millions Cup field include Aussies Love Sport, Gracious Prospect, Saluter, Le Val, Harada Bay, Baligari, Murt The Flirt and Illustrious Lad, while Bold Circle, Liberation, Eye The World and Larebil are the four emergencies.

About The Author

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.