Trainer Darren Weir has admitted that he is concerned about how Mahuta will handle the Queensland way of going when he contests the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Trainer Darren Weir is pessimistic about the chances of Mahuta in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast this weekend. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Mahuta has raced exclusively in Victoria since he made his racing debut at Seymour in September of last year and he has recorded four wins from his six race starts, but Weir is unsure whether that form will transfer to the Gold Coast this weekend.
The Flying Spur colt’s task in the Magic Millions Guineas was made tougher when he was allocated barrier 20 at the barrier draw this morning, but Weir feels that it is racing in a clockwise direction that could be the major issue for the talented three-year-old this weekend.
“The alley makes it harder for sure, maybe the inside will be off, but he’s definitely flying up tonight,” Weir said.
“I’m probably more concerned about the way of going than anything else to be honest.
“He’s travelled well enough that way in a couple of jump outs but not well enough to say he’s a good thing.”
Mahuta made his racing debut with a second place finish behind Runsati in the Palandri Insurances Maiden Plate (1100m) at Seymour on September 9 and he did not stand out when fourth in the Two Tarts Catering Maiden (1200m) at Echuca on September 25, but he put it all together to record a dominant six lengths win in the Winning Edge Presentations Maiden (1450m) at Kyneton on October 8 and earn an opportunity at black-type level during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.
He made his black-type racing debut in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 17 and he led from start to finish to record a tough win before he proved that was no fluke when he took out the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 31.
Despite his excellent form, Mahuta was not overly fancied in betting in the lead-up to the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) on November 14 and he did not receive things his own way in running, but he was still able to record another impressive victory.
Mahuta is currently available at 2016 Magic Millions Guineas odds of $4 with Ladbrokes and he remains favourite from Egyptian Symbol ($4.60), Flippant ($5.50), I’m Belucci ($11) and Sir Bacchus ($11).
