Zahra Confident in Madeenaty Ahead of Wyong Magic Millions

Jockey Mark Zahra is confident that Madeenaty will comfortably handle the conditions when she lines up for the Wyong Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic (1200m) on Thursday afternoon.

Madeenaty will make her third career start at Wyong on Thursday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Madeenaty will make her third career start at Wyong on Thursday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Madeenaty has quickly stamped herself as a filly to follow through her two impressive career starts so far but is yet to make an appearance at the right-handed way of going, having only contested races in Melbourne so far.

Zahra, who has partnered the Exceed And Excel filly on both occasions, has been thrilled with the work she has produced through recent weeks and is confident that she will have no issue adapting to the New South Wales conditions in the Wyong Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic on Thursday.

“I have been to Euroa to ride her in two bits of work and she’s going great,” Zahra told AAP.

“She had a jump-out last Wednesday going the opposite way and she went great. She’s a natural that way, so I think she’ll be very hard to beat there (at Wyong).

“I really liked her leading up to her first run because I had done a bit of work on her.

“She did what I expected and then I think you just have to forgive the second one. She had a low draw on the wrong side of the track and she beat the inside horses by like six lengths.

“She’s just got a stride of a good horse and has always impressed me.”

Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, Madeenaty was immediately led to the fore of the field in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) on debut and never appeared in doubt; extending late to finish close to three lengths in the clear of closest rival Double Jeopardy.

Facing a far-greater task in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on Melbourne Cup Day, the filly out of Set For Fame was again taken to the lead but tired somewhat late; finishing a credible third behind Invincible Star and Lucky Louie.

Madeenaty will jump from barrier 10 in a twelve-horse Wyong Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic field, but will carry only 54.5kgs.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.