1-KINGS LEGACY– On the up. No luck on debut behind AIM and should have finished much closer. The race he won last start looks the strongest formline leading into this. He ran the best L400m and 200m in that lead up. Top jock, top trainers and runs well for sure. Would love it to be 1400m for him, I’m sure he ends up a miler. From the gate should get a very good run and one of the main winning chances.
2-FARNAN- He’s just a ripper. The closer we get to the race the more I like him. He jumps well, he settles well and he has a turn off foot. Been strongest through the line at both runs (best L200m on both occasions) and went like a rocket in between races last week. He should be able to park right behind the leaders from the perfect gate and he’s the horse they all have to beat.
3-RATHLIN- He’s the horse I wanted to be on over the last few weeks but the barrier is a massive hurdle here. Likely to be midfield and wide. If he gets cover he can still run well, he has improved lengths every time he has stepped onto a track.
4-CONCEITED- I wasn’t as taken with the run last week as many others but do realise this is the race Godolphin have targeted, not last week. Needs luck but is looking for this trip.
5-AIM- He’s a very nice horse who will be as good as anything through the line. The issue is he will need a lot of luck. Every chance he lands 4-5 pairs back on the fence and Berry has his work cut out for him.
6-WISDOM OF WATER- Really good turn of foot last week, that and the gate give him a hope. Just feel it might have all come a little soon for him.
7-NITROUS- Feel $26 might be over the odds here. Loved the debut win and then last in a small field off a very slow tempo. Got the job done and win was better than most give it credit for.
8-KAVAK- Gate 1. Nice horse who will win his fair share of races in qld, has to improve sharply to win this though.
9-EUPHORIC SUMMER- Will get every possible from the good draw. She is a solid performer but hearing Mick Price talk last week he didn’t seem to think there was a great deal of improvement in her. She can still be around the money with the right run.
10-EVERY ROSE– Solid form around a couple of the main chances. Was 2nd to FARNAN at Wyong before a fighting 2nd to KING’S LEGACY a fortnight ago. She’s a tough filly with good early speed and she will be in this for a very long time.
11-GOTTA KISS- Genuinely good local who has drawn perfectly. Should get the gun run, not spend a penny and should look the winner at some stage. If there is a query it’s that all races have been at 1000m.
12-DUSTY TYCOON– If this wins with all her owners the GCTC won’t have enough beer and champagne. Can’t knock anything she has done. Feel the races she comes out of haven’t been very good but all you can do is win and she’s been as good as anything through the line.
13-LADY BANFF- Thought she was every bit as good as GOTTA KISS last time if not better. Trapped wide and was working most the race. Kicked back and showed she had a bit of strength there. Far from the worst in this.
14-AWAY GAME- Sense of timing about this filly as she keeps improving into this and her work on the course proper with RATHLIN looked very good last week. The gate makes it sticky but she looks a good quality filly to my eye.
15-STELLAR PAULINE– Think she will be going in my trifecta’s at $18. Was good on debut behind EVERY ROSE before a let up. Come back with a well beaten 2nd to AIM but I expect her to improve sharply off that run and the hot tempo will allow her to run over a lot of these late.
16-SMART ‘N’ SEXY- Still in the fetal position after her losing in the photo last week. Thought she was a good thing there and was beaten. This is at least a 5-6L better race so I can’t back up on her.
SUMMARY:
One of the better years I can remember, you can usually put a pen through half the race. This years field look like they will go on and win plenty more races in their careers. After the draw FARNAN goes on top, he just finds the perfect spot. He relaxes nicely and when he pounces at the 200m he will be extremely hard to get past. All of Snowden’s should be around the placing’s. KING’S LEGACY lands a few pairs back here and the good speed means his stamina will come through late and he’s sure to run a good race. AIM might well be the best horse in the race, if he gets the splits he has the ability to blow these away. Heeds a very good ride from the gate. STELLAR PAULINE might be the best roughie, she will appreciate the hot tempo and with fresh air in the straight should make her presence felt late.
*Selections below, may be updated before raceday
GIBBO’S 2020 MAGIC MILLIONS SELECTIONS:
2-FARNAN $7.50
1-KING’S LEGACY $8
15-STELLAR PAULINE $18
5-AIM $5.50
7-NITROUS $26
