GLENLOGAN’S MAGIC!
Glenlogan Park and Magic Millions success; the two having seemingly gone hand-in-hand during recent times and, with an incredible 6 of the top 22 qualified runners in this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic being by Glenlogan Park sires, that trend has a wonderful opportunity to be even further enhanced in the very near future.
After previously experiencing both 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas success with their Champion Sire Show A Heart on Queensland’s big day, the 2012-2013 season saw the first crop of Real Saga youngsters hit the track – and with their debut came immediate success! As the big field thundered towards the finish post in January of 2013, it was Kelso Woods’ 2YO filly Real Surreal who finished best to charge over the top of eventual Golden Slipper runner-up Sweet Idea and claim a decisive victory in the big $2million Magic Millions event.
And that scenario could very well play out again for Glenlogan Park as the 2014 running of Australia’s second highest prizemoney event for juveniles sees progeny by Falvelon, Real Saga and Jet Spur all within the top 22 qualified runners – all of whom have 2 contenders each.
From this group however, most would consider the “reigning champ” Real Saga to have the best chance of success after his two fillies Stroak and Sagatona delivered almighty runs in Saturday’s $150,000 G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben in their final lead-up race.
MAGIC MILLIONS favourite, Unencumbered, just manages to hold out the fast finishing pair of REAL SAGA fillies STROAK and SAGATONA.
Photo Courtesy – Trackside Photography
Bryan Guy’s filly Stroak finished runner-up in that Group 3 event and her outstanding effort has the trainer looking forward to a re-match on her home track come January 11.
“There is no question the winner (Unencumbered) is a very good horse and deserves to be favourite. I certainly have no knock at all on him,” Bryan said. “However our filly is definitely on the way up and she had plenty go against her on Saturday but was still able to run him to a half neck at the finish.
“As the barriers opened she got squeezed up and, instead of parking right on Unencumbered’s tail when they settled, she found herself about 1 or 2 lengths further back because of that interference.
“She then copped another shove down the back straight and lost a further 2 lengths which resulted in her being posted 3 and 4 wide for the remainder of the trip.
“It was the first time she had found herself back in the field during a race and she appeared to lose her way a little as they rounded the turn.
“However, once she got balanced she really charged to the line and only missed by a couple of bounds.
“We had been tempted to put blinkers on her before that run, but I am tipping she will have them on in 2 weeks-time and I am sure that will allow her to focus just that little bit better.
“She is as tough as nails and came home and licked her feed tin clean. I really couldn’t be happier with her.”
Real Saga’s other 2YO filly, the Liam Birchley trained Sagatona, is right on the verge of gaining a start and needs a withdrawal or two to be assured of getting a run. However, if she does, she will have plenty of support as she looks an exceptionally progressive filly who will be peaking on race day.
“I thought her run on Saturday was terrific and if she had not just lost her way a little down the straight I am sure she would have run right over the top of them,” Liam said. “She was travelling a bit stronger than Stroak on the point of the turn and we got about half a length in front of her not long after they straightened.
“However she was still a bit new and didn’t really know how to knuckle down and finish it off.
The jockey said she waited for Stroak to go past her and then she started hitting her straps again. All she needs is blinkers though and that will fix the problem. She has got plenty of quality and a stack of ability.
“If she sneaks into the race at the Coast I am sure they will all know she is there.”
