In this Magic Millions 2YO Classic Runner-By-Runner Guide, we sort the pretenders from the contenders and tell you who is the best chance to win the big one!
On Saturday it will be a showdown of the Gimcrack Stakes and Breeder’s Plate winners Platinum Jubilee vs Empire of Japan. Or will it? There is a multitude of good chances in this race and it is pretty much a roll of the dice, but I am going to try and make some sense of it.
2: Sovereign Fund
Was a horse that I was thinking had probably the top chance outside of the two horses I have already mentioned, but that 17th barrier is ugly. Has the speed to overcome said draw and Jamie Kah is no slouch, especially when riding for the Snowden camp, but it is hard to entertain a $6 pricetag when so wide. Can win, but he will have to do it the tough way.
3: Sunsource
Was strong without winning last start, as he was only in for the fitness to see if he could run the 1200m out and he did. However, hard to see him turning the tables on Sovreign Fund, even with the difference in barriers. One for the exotics at best.
4: Empire of Japan
This is a horse that I am super excited to see how his career pan out. I am praying that he doesn’t peak as a 2YO, because he could be an elite miler one day. That aside, I think after his phenomenal Breeder’s Plate victory he is primed for a masssive run here. He managed a 3rd last start, but the race wasn’t run to suit his style, which is get back, take cover, wait patiently til the top of the straight, pop out and turn and burn. He can do that here and if he does, it is all over.
5: Royal Entrance
This is the horse that the field will have to run down. Waterhouse and Bott trained with Tim Clark on board translates to go to the front and go hard until you cannot go no more. Outstanding price to be getting if you are looking for value and he is one of the top hopes.
6: Godfather
Overs at $23 in my mind for sure. The wide barrier is what will kill his chances and will be the pure excuse if he finishes anywhere outside the top 6, because he is a class horse. I think he will relish the 1200m and can find the front, only if he finds some cover and then isn’t held up in the straight. The price only reflects the barrier so he is backable.
7: CHRYSAOR
Price reflects his chances, one of the few that would really shock me if he somehow got up.
8: infatuation
This girl has the runs on the board to give this field a shake and the hundreds of owners she has through the MyRacehorse micro-share syndicate will be cheering her on. She will probably be one of, if not the fittest horse coming in with 4 strong runs under her belt as she has been in work since the Spring. Almost won the Golden Gift, so she is not to be snubbed.
9: Fire Lane
I don’t want to write him off because I did that when he won his last start over Platinum Jubilee, Godfather and Empire of Japan, so clearly he has ability. He’ll have to do some work from the barrier, but he has upset the best before, no reason why lightning can’t strike i nthe same place twice.
10: Platinum Jubilee
This girl has the potential to be a genorational talent. Her win in the Gimcrack was insane. She is meant to be a leader, but that day we learnt that she can run from just about anywhere, as she was last going into the turn at Randwick and then proceeded to weave through the entire field and make a barnstorming run in the final 1000 to put 2 lengths on the pack. You’d think she just has to be going forward from this draw instead of taking a sit though/ Would be shocked if she isn’t at the top of the pack, finishing in the tri.
11: Croatian Belle
I am of the belief that the Sydney 2Yo’s are superior this seaosn, apart from King’s Gambit, but he isn’t here is he. This horse has had 2/2 wins and both have been impressive, but she just hasn’t beaten anyone of merit. Has her chances, but I would only have her in the exotics.
12: Summer Loving
Cant say Infatuation is a chance without saying the same for Summer Loving as she has much the same formlines. As long as she doesn’t get stuck in traffic she should be included in your exotics.
13: Skirt The Law
Easily the best of the QLD chances in my eyes. Sure she hasn’t beaten much, but she has won both of her races with impressive authority and it seems as though she will absolutely eat up the 1200m. The key is where she settles, you would think that she’ll have to go to the front and try and get the lead from the 4th barrier or she risk getting crossed and stuck near the post. A winning chance for sure.
14: Miss Coota
Was looking a huge chance til last race where the bubble well and truly popped. Now she has drawn the 18th barrier she has been ruled out for me. She will jsut find it too hard to turn the tables from that far wide out.
15: Excel D’Or
Some consistent placings managed to get her to squeak into the field, but she has done nothing to convince me that she can win.
16: Empress of wonder
You have to think she just gets far too back to be a factor here. Her chances completely rely on them burning too much petrol in front so she can run over the top of them in the final stages, if it doesn’t happen, she can’t win. But with her turn of foot and a distance that will suit, she can place.
17: Risky Investment (E)
I am going to say a big no. Would be shock of the decade if he manages a win.
18: She’s A Rogue (E)
She certainly is no slouch, just not sure if she is up to this sort of grade and I seriously doubt she gains a start anyways.
19: Quasimoto (E)
Made the field purely off the narrow placing to Sovreign Fund in the Wyong Magic Millions, but then couldn’t get anywhere near Royal Entrance. Not here.
20: Trifling (E)
Would struggle to even get a start this far back in the emergencies. Wouldn’t win anyways.
verdict
I am going to have to side with Empire of Japan here. I just think he has a major class edge on this field. The 11th barrier is proabably spot on where he wants to be, JMac can jump, slide across, grab some cover about 3-4 horses off the leaders and patiently wait for his time to strike. His motor is superior to most of this field, so if they’re tirring late, it will be a cherry pick for the Snowden colt.
Top 4 Selections: Empire of Japan, Platinum Jubilee, Skirt The Law, Royal Entrance
$50 Betting Strategy
$25 Win on Empire of Japan and $12.50 Each Way on Platinum Jubilee