The Kelso Wood trained Nikitas raced into calculations for the $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 9 after a brilliant debut win at Doomben last Saturday.
Trainer Kelso Wood, above, will aim Nikitas towards the Magic Millions 2yo Classic after a brilliant win at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Jockey Michael Cahill used Nikitas’ natural early pace to cross the field from the outside barrier to lead the youngsters up the side of the track and into the home turn before exploding away to recorded a four and three quarter lengths win in the $65,000 QTIS Two Years Old Handicap (1200m).
The electrifying win now sees the Snitzel colt on the third line of betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic at $8.
Wood was surprised to see Nikitas leading the field into the first turn from barrier thirteen but was happy with the result.
“We hoped from the wide gate he’d get in to two or three back behind the pace but he was too good for them,” Wood said.
Wood won the Magic Millions 2yo Classic three years ago with tough filly Real Surreal and has a great chance to collect the major prize again with Nikitas.
The top Eagle Farm trainer has selected the Group 3 $150,000 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on December 26 as Nikitas’ final lead up run to the Magic Millions 2yo Classic
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Capitalist heads the Magic Millions 2yo Classic market order at $4 ahead of Tony Gollan’s filly Zelady’s Night Out at $7.
Capitalist was also a brilliant first up winner when he scored by three lengths in the Listed $150,000 Newgate Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 3 over stablemate Detective who is marked at $15 for the Magic Millions.
Zelady’s Night Out also showed a scintillating turn of foot for her all the way four and a half lengths win on debut in the $65,000 QTIS Two Years Old Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on November 14.
