The Magic Million Classic market underwent a massive reshuffle after ante-post favourite Sizzling suffered defeat in today’s Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm today.
Starting the prohibitive odds of $1.14, the Kelso Wood-trained two-year-old went down to Noogoora Burr trained by giant killer David Lawlor.
Lawlor, battling a third bout of cancer, had a winning double after the first two races after Maling ($18) caused an upset in the Coca Cola Amatil (2128m).
Nooroora Barr ($7.50) wasn’t expected to topple Sizzling who had previously won at debut by six lengths from subsequent city winner Dansonite.
From the start punters on Sizzling faced worries.
Jockey Chris Munce had to work hard to get Sizzling in the mood from barrier nine.
It dropped out and settled in front of three horses, three wide on the track.
Aronson led Noogoora Burr with Grand Business three wide without cover.
Munce moved Sizzling up behind Grand Business and moved four wide entering the straight.
He was giving Noogoora Burr three lengths at the 200m.
Sizzling whittled the margin to a neck with Grand Business a length away third.
Noogoora Burr moved from $31 to $13 while Sizzling drifted from $3 to $4 for the $2m Magic Million Classic (1200m) run on January 14 at the Gold Coast with Tabsportsbet.
Forty minutes later the Munce ridden Calaway Gal Stakes winner Discreet joined Sizzling as equal favourite.
Munce now has a Magic Millions Classic ride decision to make but didn’t write off Sizzling.
“I never make a decision in the heat of battle,” Munce said.
“Sizzling’s run was super and the winner had too soft a run up front.
“He was caught a little wide early on but he had good cover.”
Wood was far from disappointed with Sizzling’s defeat.
“It was an enormous run from a bad barrier,” Wood said.
“He didn’t show enough speed when they jumped and he’ll improve a lot after this run.
“I’m sure 1200 metres in the Magic Millions will suit him a lot better.”
Lawlor now plans to give Noogoora Burr his final start before the Magic Millions Classic in the Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week, the same race at Discreet and Sizzling.
“He’s in the Magic Millions and is going to win it too,” Lawlor said.
“This has been the best day of my life.
“It’s the best feeling I’ve had in my life and it’s the best chemo ever.”
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | NOOGOORA BURR | David Lawlor | Ric McMahon | 6 | 56kg | $7.50 | |
| 2 | 1 | SIZZLING | Kelso Wood | Chris Munce | 0.2L | 8 | 56.5kg | $1.14F |
| 3 | 7 | GRAND BUSINESS | Norm Hilton | Scott Seamer | 1.5L | 5 | 54kg | $41 |
| 4 | 3 | PURE WHISPER | Gillian Heinrich | Damian Browne | 5L | 3 | 56kg | $12 |
| 5 | 10 | REFLECTANCE | John P Thompson | Scott Galloway | 7L | 9 | 54kg | $31 |
| 6 | 6 | ARONSON | John P Thompson | Jim Byrne | 7.8L | 7 | 54kg | $31 |
| 7 | 4 | HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS | Liam Birchley | Glen Colless | 10L | 2 | 54kg | $21 |
| 8 | 9 | MORE THAN WILLING | Mark Spackman | Michael Palmer | 18L | 4 | 54kg | $51 |
| 9 | 5 | ARDINI | Todd Austin | Brad Stewart | 18.5L | 1 | 54kg | $101 |
| 8 | MORE THAN SUPERB | John P Thompson | Timothy Bell (a) | 0 |
