Trainer Patrick Payne has confirmed that Atalanta Miss will make the trip to the Gold Coast for the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas on Saturday.
Atalanta Miss will face the toughest test of her racing career to date in the 2016 Magic Millions Guineas. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Atalanta Miss was sent to the spelling paddock after she finished sixth behind Prince Of Brooklyn in the Group 3 National Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 16 and she returned to racing with a fairly flat effort in the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.
The $1 million Magic Millions Guineas represents a big step-up in class for Atalanta Miss, but Payne told Racing.com that he has always had a big opinion of the Not A Single Doubt filly and he was keen to give her a chance in the lucrative event.
“She’s a little bit underrated and is a horse that always goes to the races and does a good job,” Payne said.
“She raced in Tasmania and was very unlucky and she went to Adelaide and ran very well in a Group 3 race.
“I’m not saying she’s definitely good enough to win this race but somewhere along the line I think she’ll win a decent race.”
Atalanta Miss was an early-running two-year-old and she made her racing debut with an impressive win in The Orange Spot Bakery Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks on October 4 in 2014 before she failed to fire in the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m) at Ballarat on November 22.
She was sent to Tasmania and had no luck in running in the Magic Millions Classic (1220m) at Launceston on February 11 last year or the Listed Gold Sovereign (1200m) at the same venue on February 25, but she returned to winning form in the Adelaide Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at Morphettville on March 9.
Melbourne Cup winning hoop Michelle Payne has been booked to ride Atalanta Miss in the Magic Millions Guineas and she will be able to take the ride despite receiving a suspension for careless riding aboard Snitzel Music at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Atalanta Miss is currently available at 2016 Magic Millions Guineas odds of $61 with Ladbrokes, while Sandown Guineas winner Mahuta ($4) is favourite from Bjorn Baker-trained Egyptian Symbol ($6), Wyong Magic Millions Stakes winner Flippant ($6), last start winner Sir Bacchus ($11), David Murphy-trained Shotacross The Bow ($13), the talented Flamboyant Lass ($15), Spring Champion Stakes runner-up I’m Belucci ($15) and Vo Rogue Plate winner Madotti ($15).
