Bookmakers and punters are finding it hard to split the two favourites Houtzen and From Within a day out from the running of the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
From Within, above, is sharing favouritism with Houtzen for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.
Local filly Houtzen and the Chris Waller trained From Within have changed positions at the top of the market order on several occasions since the final field was released on Monday and bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have them both at $4.20 on Friday morning.
The Toby Edmonds trained Houtzen was as short as $3.60 early in the week after scoring a sensational win last Saturday in an 1100m 2yo Handicap on the Gold Coast but lost her spot at the top of market order after drawing the extreme outside barrier and will jump from gate sixteen when the starter presses the go button.
From Within then took over favouritism after drawing perfectly at barrier seven and will jump from four if all five emergencies fail to gain a start.
Edmonds was initially disappointed with the horror draw but said his filly would be out of trouble and miss the early squeeze up that will eventuate in the first 300m.
“It’s disappointing but there’s nothing we can do about it now,” Edmonds told Racing Queensland News.
“Hopefully she’ll still be able to slot in somewhere.”
“It’s a high-pressure race and it can be crash-up derby at times so she should be out of any trouble out wide.”
“But the draw makes it difficult now and we’re hoping for a bit of luck.”
Waller can’t fault the preparation of From Within who has arrived at the Gold Coast in fine order.
“She has travelled up here well, she is a good horse, she has drawn well, Hugh Bowman rides,” Waller said.
“Could not have been any more impressive in her two trials and her race start to date.”
“The big query in second up at this level with the pressure that she is going to be put under on Saturday.”
“But all the form people are suggesting that she is the one to beat and I am sure they have taken into consideration that she is only having her second start.”
Hugh Bowman takes over in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic from Glyn Schofield who was aboard From Within when she won her only race start over 1100m at Canterbury on December 31 while premiership winning jockey Jeff Lloyd will be on the undefeated Houtzen again after partnering her at two race starts.
