Perignon To Settle Closer In Magic Millions Classic

Jockey Brenton Avdulla has revealed that he would like to settle promising filly Perignon closer to the speed when she jumps from barrier 11 in the 2015 Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Perignon earnt a place in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic field when she took out the Rewards Plate in impressive fashion. Photo by: Steve Hart

Perignon earnt a place in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic field when she took out the Rewards Plate in impressive fashion. Photo by: Steve Hart

Perignon made her racing debut in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m) on December 18 and jockey Kerrin McEvoy was forced to settle the Snitzel filly at the tail of the field after she missed the start, but she was still able to work home strongly to finish fourth before she showed impressive acceleration to win the Rewards Plate (1200m) at Canterbury on December 27 from the tail of the field.

While Perignon has shown an ability to win from worse than midfield, Avdulla told TVN that the two-year-old is capable of sitting closer to the pace and he expects her to be further forward in the 2015 Magic Millions Classic this weekend.

“On debut at Wyong she was slow out but at Canterbury she jumped okay, it was just that we drew wide and I didn’t want to bustle her early,” Avdulla said.

“I elected to come back, she could have been closer if we drew a gate.

“She has drawn basically in the middle on Saturday and with the winkers that should see us a little bit closer.”

Perignon will travel to Queensland overnight and she was given her final piece of work before he trip north at Rosehill Gardens this morning.

The promising filly was not fully tested in her trackwork gallop alongside a stablemate over 800 metres, but was still able to run very good time in an effort that pleased trainer Gerald Ryan.

“She went a half mile with a mate and they ran their first 400m in 29 seconds with the last 400m in 23.70 and she clocked 11.01 for her final 200m,” Ryan said.

“The best thing about the work is that she did it with something up her sleeve, she has more to give on Saturday.”

Ryan is chasing his first win in the Magic Millions Classic after finishing second with Danbird in 2003 and third with Snitzel, the sire of Perignon, in 2005.

Perignon is currently available at 2015 Magic Millions Classic odds of $8.50 with Ladbrokes Australia, while Wicked Intent ($5.50) remains a narrow favourite from Claudia Jean ($6) and Frequendly ($6.50).

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.