Magic Millions Last Chance Saloon

Ben Dorries - Tuesday January 2

It's the last chance saloon for plenty of Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic hopefuls on Saturday but Tony McEvoy's classy filly Sunlight looms as a huge stumbling block.

McEvoy told Racenet he is "99 percent" sure his boom juvenile filly, currently on the second line of Magic Millions betting at $7, will run in the Follow Aquis Farm on Twitter 2YO Handicap (1100m) on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Sunlight - Magic MillionsThat is despite the daughter of Zoustar already having earned enough prizemoney to qualify for the rich Magic Millions Classic a week later.

McEvoy's plan potentially spells bad news for other Magic Millions candidates who need to win Saturday's Gold Coast race, worth $40,200 to the winner, to get into the Magic Millions field.

The likes of Terminology, Boom Girl, Dram Of Delago, Paquirri, Sugar Sizzle and Mishani Phantom all need to win to get into the field while Commissioner and Sokudu (both dual nominated on the Gold Coast and at Warwick Farm) also need wins.

But McEvoy isn't concerned with any of that.

The champion trainer knew immediately after Sunlight's win on the Gold Coast on December 23 the Zoustar filly needed another run before the Magic Millions, and says he almost certainly won't change his mind now.

"I am flying to Brisbane today (Tuesday) and I will have a good look at her, but at this stage she is 99 percent certain to run on Saturday," McEvoy said.

"I know her well and to me, after her last run, she just didn't look fit to me.

Advertisement

"You have got to be fit to win the Magic Millions and I would have had to gallop her far too hard if she wasn't going to race again, and I didn't want to do that.

"I had already factored this into her program, and unless something changes dramatically she will be running on Saturday.

"There will be a few rivals on Saturday probably hoping she doesn't run, but I don't worry about that and I just do what I think is best for my horse."

There has been recent history with 2YO Magic Millions winners who have run the week before and backed up into the big race with last year's winner Houtzenand Le Chef (2015) both doing the quickfire double.

McEvoy has never won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic but believes Sunlight could be his best chance.

Sunlight has a full sister that will be offered by Widden Stud at the 2018 Magic Millions as Lot 330.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Debut Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Set to shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (FR) had an impressive debut winner overnight in the UK with Cape Ashizuri opening his account in style.
Zoustyle Does it Again!
"The guys that own him were really disappointed when he drew wide but I said to them when he came over here and worked on Tuesday, 'this is really his favourite track’, he gets himself into such a good rhythm here and it's the only race all Summer that I had an opportunity to bring him back here to Doomben," Gollan said.
Coolmore Secure $500,000 Zoustar Colt
Some people may have wondered at Coolmore’s Tom Magnier paying $500,000 for a Zoustar colt early in the sale at Magic Millions on Wednesday, but when you hear what his breeder John North of Bowness Stud has to say about him you can see why this colt is seen as having serious potential.
Public Attention Sold to Hong Kong
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale.
Te Akau Stars Headed to Cranbourne
Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.
Aussie Interest at JRHA Sale Next Week – First foal of Golden Slipper Winner
The 2025 JRHA  Select Foal and Yearling Sale will be held next week in Japan on July 14 and 15 and as usual there are some interesting entries for Aussie racing fans with a significant number of our star mares at stud in Japan including the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn.
Resolute Racing Win G1 Prix Jean Prat – Wootton Bassett Sire Power
A crackerjack meeting at Deauville in France overnight highlighted the power of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired yet another new two year-old stakes-winner and he also featured as the grand-sire of Woodshauna, who captured the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) for US based Resolute Racing.
Stakes Success for Spritely 7YO Warhorse
Pearce Racing's seven year old warhorse Ginger Baker collected his first ever stakes win in the Listed 2200m South West Cup yesterday.
Zoustar Heads Roster at Tweenhills Stud
Exciting Australian sire Zoustar will head the roster at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire next year when he makes his second shuttle trip from Widden Stud to the northern hemisphere.
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.