Triple Magic Millions Classic winning trainer Gai Waterhouse believes tomorrow’s $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions Classic (2yo, 1100m) first starter Burning Sails is a live chance in next month’s Gold Coast feature.
Burning Sails by Fastnet Rock x Bukhoor (by Jeune) was a $270,000 purchase at the 2010 Magic Millions main January sale.
Foaled in August 2009, the bay is well into his two year old year.
He had an easy time of a trial at Rosehill on December 6 when defeating the unraced See You Saturday narrowly.
The Wyong race has attracted 10-horse field including six first starters but Waterhouse has a real belief in Burning Sails’ ability.
“He’s a very, very good colt,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s so beautifully balanced and his work this week has been sizzling.
“The horse to beat at Wyong is Hidden Warrior because he has the race experience but in Burning Sails, I know I have an outstanding young horse.”
Fastnet Rock’s progeny include 21 stake winners such as Atlantic Jewel, Lone Rock, Wanted, Rothesay, Irish Lights and Rock Classic etc.
The colt’s dam Bukhoor is a half sister to Rewaaya, the 2006 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke winner trained by David Hayes.
TABsportsbet have Burning Sails a $35 chance to win the $2m Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on January 14.
A win in tomorrow’s Wyong Classic will automatically qualify him for the race as would second with prizemoney at $40,000.
Waterhouse produced Dance Hero (2004), Excellerator (2001) , Assertive Lad (2000) to win the Classic.
While Burning Sails had an easy time of it in his trial , Hoffenhorry won a trial on the same day, ran six lengths quicker and also debuts in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic.
The Greg McFarlane-trained son of Haradasun and Magestique has Queensland based jockey Chris Munce aboard.
Munce already has a rich array of choices with Magic Millions Classic race favourites Discreet and Sizzling there for his choosing.
Munce, like Waterhouse, has won three Magic Millions Classics on Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004).
Hoffenhorry is $21 in early MM Classic betting but those odds will shorten dramatically if he can make a winning debut.
“Chris is tremendous on two-year-olds and he rides Wyong very well,” McFarlane said.
“Chris will be able to give us a good line on Hoffenhorry heading towards the Magic Millions.
“This race looks made for Hoffenhorry.
“He’s a big, strong, natural two-year-old and he has trained on extremely well since the trial.”
2012 MAGIC MILLIONS CLASSIC BETTING – Gold Coast, January 14.
- $4 Sizzling
- $5 Discreet
- $6 Driefontein
- $9 No Looking Back, Fundido, Amorino
- $11 Noogoora Burr, Snipzu
- $12 Urban Groove
- $17 Hidden Warrior
- $19 Little Critter
- $21 Hoffenhorry, Kuchinskaya
- $26 Grand Business
- $31 Blazing Snitzel
- $35 Military Bride
- $41 Lady Colours, Dysfunction, Hoss Amor, Alezan Thunder, Antarctic Dream, Travino, Pure Whisper, Henia.
- Others $51 and longer.
*Betting from TABsportsbet.