Australia's leading trainer Ciaron Maher will rely on the skill and talent of underrated jockey Jason Collett to give him his third $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in five years at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Collett rides lightly raced two-year-old Icarian Dream for Maher but the filly has drawn barrier 21 and BET365 has taken a stance against the one time favourite for the rich 1200 metre speed test. Icarian Dream has drifted in the market from $4.50 favourite to $6 after Maher's mother Eileen drew the horror barrier draw on Tuesday morning.
"It's not the most ideal, barrier 21, but when you take out the emergencies we come in a few barriers," Maher told ACM Racing.
"I must admit I was disappointed when mum drew the wide gate. I thought what do we do from out there. We've just had to look for a positive in a tough situation and the positive is we'll come in a few barriers. It's still not the best barrier. We've got the outside gate and there's nothing we can do about it.
"I've already had a brief talk to Jason about how I want Icarian Dream ridden but we'll undoubtedly have a few more chats before the race on Saturday afternoon. It's going to take a good ride from Jason to win. Jason is an underrated jockey. I'm sure he'll be up to the challenge. I had originally thought Icarian Dream would be on pace those plans may change before the race."
Maher, who won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2022 with Coolangatta and Away Game in 2020 said Icarian Dream is in peak condition for Saturday's race.
"I must admit before the barrier draw I thought she would be hard to beat," Maher said.
"I still think she's going to run really well. The wide barrier has made it tougher, in saying that Icarian Dream is going into the race in great order. I was very happy after she hit the line strongly to win her last start at Eagle Farm.
"She's very fit and has had a faultless preparation. We've purposely spaced her runs and she's been set for this race. Her record is very good - two wins from four starts and with an ounce of luck it could have been three wins from four starts. She's a very good filly and with all women in the syndicate that race her I'm expecting there will be some wild scenes if Icarian Dream happens to win."
Invincible Woman, who won her only start at Caulfield for Cranbourne trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans is the $5.50 favourite with Gallo Nero for the 2YO Classic in an open betting race with BET365.
Maher has two runners Snitzanova and Yes Lulu running in the other feature the $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas over 1400 metres. Snitzanova has won three of her four starts while Yes Lulu has registered two wins from seven runs.
"We've never won the Magic Millions Guineas but in saying that we've never had many runners in the race," Maher said.
"I would say we've got our best chances this year. Snitzanova and Yes Lulu are both last start winners. Snitzanova hasn't put a foot wrong winning her last three starts. Her last start win in the Sandown Guineas at Caulfield in November was full of merit and we set her for the Magic Millions Guineas after that win.
"She's dropping back from 1600 metres at Caulfield to the 1400 metres in the Guineas but there's no issues with that as she's nice and fresh.
"Yes Lulu won a Magic Millions race at Caulfield in mid-December and we set her up here for this race. It's her first time over 1400 metres on Saturday. I'm no expecting any problems as she hit the long strong at Caulfield in a 1200 metre race last time."
BET365 have Snitzanova as the $5 favourite while Yes Lulu is a $12 chance.
The master trainer is gearing up for a busy Saturday. Apart from Icarian Dream, Snitzanova and Yes Lulu, he has six other runners at the big Gold Coast meeting while he accepted with six horses at Flemington and five runners at Wyong.
The Wyong meeting features a $500,000 open handicap and sees Maher saddle up Junipal and St Lawrence. The meeting carries metropolitan status and is the principal event in New South Wales on Saturday.
