Jockey Jake Noonan believes that I Am The General deserves to be considered one of the major chances in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic (1200m) that will be run at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Rising jockey Jake Noonan is confident that I Am The General is good enough to give him the biggest victory of his riding career in the Magic Millions Classic on Saturday. Photo by: Taron Clarke
I Am The General made his racing debut with a tough third place finish behind Sheer Style and Geromayo in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat (1000m) on November 24 before recording his maiden race win in the Leadwest Plate (1000m) at Flemington on December 14.
The I Am Invincible colt was too strong for the well-backed Chivalry, holding off the Mark Kavanagh-trained juvenile in the final stages of the race, and Noonan told TVN that the two-year-old had performed even better in trackwork at Mornington last week.
“He’s definitely improved since the Flemington win,” Noonan said.
“The form coming out of the race has been good with Chivalry since winning impressively at Moonee Valley.”
The 2014 Magic Millions Classic barrier draw will be held tomorrow and the majority of trainers and jockeys believe that the draw will play a major role in deciding who takes out the $2 million event this weekend.
While Noonan is hoping that I Am The General draws an inside alley, he is confident that the two-year-old will find a good spot in the run whichever gates he draws because of his adaptability.
“One of the best things about him is that he doesn’t have to lead, he can take a sit because he’s so adaptable,” Noonan said.
“If he draws a gate inside 10, I think he’s going to be right there at the finish.”
Noonan has previously had success at Listed level, winning the 2012 Christmas Stakes with Undeniably and the 2013 Redelva Stakes with Agulhas, but a victory in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic will easily be the biggest win of his career, while trainer Shane Nichols, whose boutique stable has less than thirty horse in work, is chasing his first feature race win.
Punters don’t currently share the same confidence in I Am The General as Noonan; with the talented colt currently on the eighth line of Magic Millions Classic betting markets behind Unencumbered ($4), Invisible ($5.50), Oakleigh Girl ($9), Nordic Empire ($10), Geromayo ($11), Stroak ($11) and Sagatona ($12).
