Odds on favourite Winning Rupert has been cleared to run in the $2m Gold Coast Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Winning Rupert, above, has been cleared to run in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas at the Gold Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Winning Rupert was found to be slightly lame when inspected by Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Stewards and Veterinarians on Thursday but a follow up examination on Friday morning has cleared the Bjorn Baker trained colt to take his place in the field.
Thursday’s report from Racing Queensland read: “Winning Rupert – Slightly short striding in the near foreleg. At the time of the examination, the near fore hoof contained hoof filler which will be present on race day and has been present at its previous starts this campaign.”
The report on Friday morning was more positive, clearing the $1.45 favourite to take his place in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas: “Winning Rupert – After being found slightly short striding in the near foreleg upon examination yesterday, was today cleared to start.”
Besides the slight set setback, Baker says that Winning Rupert is in great order and he heads into the race full of confidence.
“He still looks magnificent, he has held his condition and if anything this week he is looking better than ever and in terms of how he has done I couldn’t be happier,” Baker told RSN’s Racing Ahead.
“His work has been excellent, he has such a good recovery rate.
“It is really encouraging and he is going into the race in great order.”
Winning Rupert is undefeated from five starts and has made his opposition look second rate at his three runs this campaign with a total winning margin of fourteen and a quarter lengths with his wins in a 3yo 1200m 3yo Plate at Eagle Farm, the Listed $100,000 Delfina’s Bistro Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Doomben and the Group 3 $200,000 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm on December 31.
The Written Tycoon colt with regular rider Jeff Lloyd in the saddle will be facing some of the same opposition as well as new ones including the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained dual Group 1 winner Global Glamour.
Global Glamour showed her class in the Spring with back to back Group 1 wins in the $500,000 Sydney Airport Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 1 and a week later in the $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
But the Star Witness filly had no luck when held up for a run in the straight when resuming for a ninth in Listed $100,000 Nudgee Quality Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 31 against the older mares and will appreciate the drop back to her own age group with Tim Clark taking over the reins from Tye Angland in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas.
Baker is certain that Winning Rupert can take full advantage from an inside barrier and set the pace again and can’t see the step up to 1400m as a problem.
“I am sure there will be a fair bit of speed, but he is just so quick and if anything wants to go with him they could be in more trouble than he,” Baker said.
“He has got such a high cruising speed so I think the 1400m should not be too much of a problem.”
Winning Rupert is completely dominating the betting for the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas and on Friday morning was marked at $1.45 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Global Glamour, who will jump from the outside barrier in the sixteen horse field is the only other runner under the $10 mark at $6.50.
