Leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody is hoping the addition of blinkers to Weinholt is enough to the turn the tables on Sweet Idea in the 2014 Gold Coast $1m Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Weinholt (red cap) will race with the blinkers back on in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas.Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Weinholt raced in blinkers for the first time when twelfth to Long John in the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 12.
But then Moody removed the head gear before the Stratum colt finished a solid second to Sweet Idea in the $100,000 Wyong Magic Millions 3yo Stakes (1200m) at Wyong on December 19.
Weinholt also gained an advantage over the Sweet Idea at the Magic Millions barrier draw at Surfers Paradise on Tuesday with the Gai Waterhouse filly coming up with gate fifteen in the original draw of sixteen plus five emergencies while Moody’s colt drew barrier six.
“The blinkers go back on him on Saturday and that certainly won’t hurt him,” Moody said.
“He had an ease-up and came back. His first run back was good and that would have topped him off nicely.
“He should race handy to the pace and should be in it for a long way.”
Top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman will be aboard Weinholt again after partnering him at Wyong and also had a good report to offer after riding him in a gallop on the Randwick course proper on Saturday morning.
“Hugh was very happy with him after the gallop at Randwick and I’m very happy with him,” Moody said.
Sweet Idea still remains one of the main chances in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas even from an outside gate and is currently the second favourite at $4.80 behind the Jason McLachaln trained Enquare who heads the market order at $4.60.
Number one saddle cloth holder Charlie Boy is next in the betting at $8 in front of Northern Glory at $9 and third emergency Gundy Spirit at $10 while Weinholt shares the $11 mark with Salute The Jude who has the job ahead from a horror gate.
