The 2015 Magic Millions Classic barrier draw has been completed and favourites Claudia Jean and Wicked Intent are set to maintain their place on top of betting markets for the $2 million event after drawing inside gates.
Frequendly was one of the big winners of the 2015 Magic Millions Classic barrier draw. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Claudia Jean stamped herself as a leading contender for the Magic Millions Classic when she made her racing debut with a dominant three and a half lengths win over Bosnia in the Christmas Season Plate (1000m) at Flemington on December 20 and her odds will only firm after she was allocated barrier one this morning.
Wicked Intent started his racing career with impressive wins in the Sequalo Legacy Plate (900m) at the Gold Coast on October 4, the Breakfast Creek Hotel Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on November 29 and the Listed Phelan Ready (1050m) at the same venue on December 13, but suffered a shock loss to Mishani Honcho in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on December 27.
Despite the defeat, Wicked Intent remains towards the top of Magic Millions Classic betting markets and he is set to receive an ideal run into the race from barrier five.
Another leading contender that fared well at the 2015 Magic Millions Classic barrier draw is Les Ross-trained Frequendly and he will jump from barrier four this weekend.
Frequendly was immediately recognised as a Magic Millions Classic contender when he won his first two starts by a combined margin of 12 lengths and after suffering a surprise loss in the Capture The Feeling Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on November 22, he returned to winning form with a comfortable victory in the Magic Millions Plate (1050m) at Toowoomba on December 31.
Other horses that will jump towards the inside of the 2015 Magic Millions Classic field are Zoutenant (barrier seven), Le Chef (barrier three), Single Gaze (barrier six), Flamenco (barrier two) and Racy (barrier nine).
While the Magic Millions Classic odds of Claudia Jean and Wicked Intent are set to shorten following the barrier draw, the price on offer for the likes of Surf Seeker, Carriages and Old Trieste are set to length after they drew towards the outside of the field.
Surf Seeker made his racing debut with a fast-finishing second behind Zoutenant in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic on December 18 and will likely be forced to settle towards the tail of the field again after being allocated barrier 18, while Gai Waterhouse-trained Carriages will start at the extreme outside in barrier 21.
David Hayes-trained Miss Idyllic (barrier 19), promising filly Madotti (barrier 15) and debut winner Pepperano (barrier 17) will also need a touch of luck from their wide Magic Millions Classic barriers.
