Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has confirmed that leading 2015 Magic Millions Classic contender Surf Seeker will wear blinkers in the $2 million event at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
James McDonald has been booked to ride Surf Seeker in the 2015 Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Surf Seeker made his racing debut in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic on December 18 and was caught wide at the tail of the field for the majority of the race, but was still able to work home in impressive fashion to finish a close second behind Zoutenant.
Hawkes told Racing Ahead this morning that he was thrilled with the debut performance of Surf Seeker in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic and believes that the application of blinkers will help the Wanted colt produce another strong effort in the 2015 Magic Millions Classic.
“He went super,” Hawkes said.
“That day we thought he could probably still win, but just the barrier killed us and in this day and age barriers do win races, which you saw that day.
“He has definitely trained on and he galloped good last Friday when I was at home and he had a little bit of a hit-out this morning.
“We will put the winkers on him, which we feel is the right time.
“James (McDonald) was probably a little bit critical of his ride at Wyong, saying that he probably shouldn’t have hit him with the whip as much, but it was his first start and he is still learning.”
Surf Seeker will be going into the Magic Millions Classic with just the one race start under his belt and without having raced at the unique Gold Coast track, but Hawkes believes that the Wyong Magic Millions Classic was an ideal lead-up run for the two-year-old and he is confident the colt will have no trouble handling the tricky surface.
“He is a readymade two-year-old and we had that race in mind for him to go straight into the Magic Millions in his second run,” he said.
“To do what he has done at Wyong, I can’t really recall a horse doing that.
“Whether he is forward, midfield or back at least you know you are going to get a good run for your money.
“He is the right Gold Coast horse we feel.”
The Magic Millions Classic chances of Surf Seeker took a hit when he was allocated barrier 18 at the barrier draw for the $2 million event that was held this morning and he is now available at 2015 Magic Millions Classic odds of $11.
