Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker is giving his colt Goodfella a good chance of knocking off the favourites in the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Brenton Avdulla, above, will ride Goodfella in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Goodfella is a winner of one race from five starts when he broke his maiden status in a 1200m Maiden at Canterbury two starts ago before running on from back in the field to finish second to Magic Millions 2yo Classic rival Ours To Keep in the Group 3 $200,000 Lilivale Stud B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 31.
Baker said that Goodfella has taken time to find his rhythm but he looks like he has found some good form at the right time.
“The penny has taken a while to drop and I think the last couple of runs he has put it all together so if he can step up from that on Saturday he is not with a knockout chance,” Baker told RSN’s Racing Ahead.
Goodfella has had three runs this campaign and Baker knows that he will go into the Magic Millions 2yo Classic rock hard in condition.
“He is tough, he is rock hard fit and he is going into the race with five runs under his belt which I think is the most,” Baker said.
“Once again I am really comfortable in the fact that he has been up here for just under four weeks.”
Goodfella settled back in the field before working home strongly in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes and Baker can foresee the Snitzel colt needing a lot of luck around the tight Gold Coast circuit if he settles back in the pack.
“I am sure they will go fast and I am sure he will be finishing off,” Baker said.
“He will need a little bit of luck because of his racing style.”
Goodfella drew barrier fourteen in the original drew but will come into ten if the all the five emergencies fail to gain a start with Brenton Avdulla taking over the reins from Jeff Lloyd who will be on the favourite Houtzen.
Ladbrokes.com.au have Goodfella at the healthy double figure odds of $18 for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic while the Toby Edmonds trained Houtzen and Chris Waller’s From Within currently share favouritism at $4.20.
Next in the betting at $6 is the Chris Munce trained Ours To Keep who will likely jump from gate two with regular rider Damian Browne in the saddle.
Baker is no stranger to winning on Magic Millions Race Day and prepared Unencumbered to win the 2004 $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m).
