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  • Records Broken and Racing Tips: The 2025 Gold Coast Magic Millions Sales and Meeting

    Summer is here and the jewel in the crown of QLD racing is happening at the Gold Coast in Queensland on Saturday, January 11, 2025,

    It’s shaping up to be an absolute cracker. There are 10 races lined up for the day, with a whopping $13.8 million in prize money across the board.

    The highlights of the day are undoubtedly the $3 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic and the $3 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3yo Guineas

    In total, 183 horses have been nominated to hit the track throughout the day, which works out to an average of about 18 runners per race, pre scratchings. With those kinds of numbers, there’s definitely big value to be found if you can grab a few winners!

    Record prices seen at Gold Coast Yearling Sale

    Day Three of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale delivered fireworks as a stunning colt by Snitzel smashed the all-time sale record, fetching $2.8 million.

    Presented by Widden Stud, the colt is the second foal of Group Three winner Humma Humma and was snapped up by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock after a thrilling bidding war. The price edged out the previous $2.7 million record set two years ago.

    Ciaron Maher, who purchased the colt on behalf of Rebel Racing’s Phil Cunningham, couldn’t hide his excitement.

    “He’s got a sharp pedigree, looks early and strong, and comes from a great family,” Maher said. Cunningham, visiting Australia for the first time, was equally thrilled. “It’s my first time here, and I’m absolutely loving it. This gives me the perfect excuse to come back next year!”

    Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson celebrated the record-breaking moment, calling it “a humbling and proud achievement” for the team. “This colt was made for Magic Millions – forward, strong, and with a bombproof action,” he added.

    The day’s second-highest sale saw Yulong’s Written Tycoon colt, out of dual Group One winner In Her Time, sell for $1.8 million to Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. Magnier praised the colt as a standout, noting strong interest from other top buyers.

    After three days, the sale’s gross has reached $144.5 million, with an average price of $277,351 and an 80% clearance rate.

    Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch highlighted the event’s success: “Breaking the $2.8 million mark and seeing international interest grow is a fantastic achievement.”

    Quick Stats After Day Three

    • Total Lots Sold: 521
    • Sale Gross: $144.5M
    • Top Price: $2.8M
    • Average Price: $277,351

    Day Three Top Sellers:

    • $2.8M: Snitzel x Humma Humma colt (Widden Stud /Ciaron Maher Bloodstock)
    • $1.8M: Written Tycoon x In Her Time colt (Yulong /Tom Magnier)

    Race 4: Queensland Magic Millions Subzero 2025

    1. Back BELVEDERE BOYS for Consistency and Versatility
      Belvedere Boys has hit a purple patch, thriving over longer distances and proving his staying credentials with back-to-back wins. He provided a strong showing in the Shoot Out. He handles all track conditions, making him a reliable pick regardless of weather. Blake Shinn in the saddle is a plus.
    2. Hedge Bet: SKY LAB for a Wet Track Upset
      Sky Lab offers solid value at $10, especially if the track gets wet. A former winner of this race, his form in the Summer Cup suggests he’s not far off and could surprise with the right conditions.
    3. Watch the Weather for LOCH EAGLE and TANNHAUSER
      If the rain comes and the track is heavy, both Loch Eagle and Tannhauser are worth a closer look. Tannhauser, especially, seems well-suited to a genuine tempo over 2200m, and while he has disappointed recently, this race setup could bring out his best.

    Bonus Insight: Encoder could be the sleeper pick, benefiting from a weight drop and extra distance, but keep an eye on how the track plays and his early positioning.

    Race 5: Magic Millions Fillies & Mares 2025

    1. Back REVOLUTIONARY MISS for Class and Positioning
      Revolutionary Miss stands out as the highest-rated horse in the field. She ran well when resuming at Eagle Farm and will appreciate the step up to 1300m. With Mark Zahra on board and a favorable run in transit expected, she’s a strong contender to capitalize on her class.
    2. Watch BUBBA’S BAY for Toughness and Consistency
      Bubba’s Bay is in red-hot form, winning four of her last five races, including a Listed event last start. Despite the wide gate and the longer 1300m trip, her ability to race on speed and never back down makes her a reliable pick, especially with Andrew Mallyon guiding her.
    3. Value Bet: ANAHITA to Fly Late
      Anahita offers great value at $10. She closed impressively in her last start behind Bubba’s Bay and seems to be hitting peak form. If she can settle closer in the run this time, her turn of foot could make her a real threat in the final stages.

    Bonus Insight: Miss Roumbini has strong Victorian form and carries less weight, making her a danger to the favorites. However, the switch to clockwise racing adds a slight query.

    Race 6: Howden Magic Millions Snippets 2025

    1. Back SEMANA for Class and Freshness
      Semana looks primed to deliver, boasting strong Group 1 form and a previous win on this day last year. She has been freshened up with a solid trial and thrives when racing fresh. With Damian Lane steering from a good gate, Semana’s class should shine through, making her the top pick.
    2. Watch NETTUNO for a Late Surge
      Nettuno impressed in the Falvelon, running wide but still finishing with purpose. If he gets a cleaner run this time, his late splits suggest he has what it takes to win. At $9, he’s a solid danger with plenty of upside.
    3. Value Bet: HEDGED to Peak Third-Up
      Hedged is hitting peak fitness in his third run this prep. After a tough on-speed effort in the Razor Sharp, he’s fitter and better placed to show his best here. If he can conserve energy early, his turn of foot makes him a real chance at $7.50.

    Bonus Insight: Hard to Say is a consistent performer in Queensland and offers value for place betting, though his distance record tempers expectations for a win. Zarastro may bounce back with a more measured ride and should be considered for exotics.

    Race 7: The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic (RL) 2025

    1. Back LA BELLA BOOM for Momentum and Finishing Power
      La Bella Boom looks sharp and comes off an impressive win in the Pearl, where she finished with ease despite having the perfect run. With Craig Williams in the saddle and continued improvement, she has the turn of foot to be the one to beat.
    2. Watch ICARIAN DREAM for a Strong Finish Despite the Wide Gate
      Icarian Dream comes in fresh from her dominant win in the Bruce McLachlan, and although her wide draw is a challenge, history shows that winners can come from outside gates in this race. With a fast tempo likely, Jason Collett should have her storming home late.
    3. Value Bet: FORGOTTEN SPIRIT for a Late Surprise
      Forgotten Spirit has shown plenty of promise in her two starts and was closing rapidly in the Pearl, finishing second to La Bella Boom. At $35, her home-track advantage and love for the 1200m make her an excellent outsider with a strong chance to cause an upset.

    Bonus Insight: Gallo Nero will get the ideal run from a good gate and appreciate the extra distance, making him a reliable choice for a strong showing. Invincible Woman also holds strong Victorian form and could be a threat if she repeats her dominant performance at Caulfield.

    Race 8: Gold Coast Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (RL) 2025

    1. Back BAUHINIA for Class and Finishing Power
      Bauhinia is primed for this race, having been specifically set for the Magic Millions. Her impressive win in the Wyong Magic Millions showcased her turn of foot and ability to handle pressure. Despite a wide gate, her late speed and solid prep make her our best bet.
    2. Watch TUILERIES for Upside and Grit
      Tuileries has been dynamic in her two wins this preparation, displaying sharp acceleration and adaptability. While her wide draw adds complexity, her ability to handle adversity and her upward trajectory make her a major player with a good chance of victory.
    3. Value Bet: ARRIVING HOME for an Underdog Run
      Arriving Home is unbeaten in two starts and comes in with a promising profile. With Kerrin McEvoy aboard and Bjorn Baker’s knack for preparing horses for big races, this filly could surprise at attractive odds if given a positive ride.

    Bonus Insight: Give Me Space’s Vo Rogue win was stunning, and while the Gold Coast presents a different challenge, he’ll be storming home late. He’s a must for exotics. Snitzanova holds solid form, especially if the rain persists, but the clockwise track remains a query.

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  • Free Racing Tips: Magic Millions Twilight Meeting – Colossal Preview

    Magic Millions Tips and Raceday Information

    The meeting at Gold Coast in Queensland on Saturday January 4th 2025 consists of 10 races, with a total prize purse of $6.1M.

    The feature race of the day is the $3M TAB Magic Millions Sunlight Plate: a set weight race over 1,100 metres. There’s also huge money on offer in race with $1m in prizemoney for the Weight For Age event over 1100m.

    It looks to be a huge day on the Gold Coast with some slight wind and possibly small drizzles, but should be a good surface to run on!

    Read on for our Magic Millions Tips:

    Statistics:

    Last 90 days, busiest trainers at track:

    TrainerStartsWonWin %PlacedPlace %Prizemoney
    Adam Campton2528%520%$61k
    Tony Gollan2215%732%$46k
    PL Shailer20210%945%$67k
    Toby Edmonds13215%538%$49k

    Race 1: Aquis Gold Nugget 2yo (C&G) – 1100m

    2. Torque To Be Sure (5)

    Trainer:M.J.Dunn – Jockey:N.Rawiller – Weight: 56kg

    A promising contender for next week if he performs here. Though a bit short, his strong closing effort in The Debut shows potential. Improved for the experience, he’ll be hard to beat.

    Race 2: Aquis Gold Pearl 2yo (F) – 1100m

    1. La Bella Boom (5)

    Trainer:T.J.Gollan – Jockey:C.Williams – Weight: 56kg

    Fresh and ready under Tony Gollan, she impressed with a tough win at Doomben on Nov 2, showing grit under pressure. A solid tick-over trial confirms she’s on track, and this proven formula points to another strong performance.

    Race 3: Canadian Club Magic Millions Maiden Plate – 1400m

    9. Iconify (6)

    Trainer:C.Maher – Jockey:E.P.Brown – Weight: 57kg

    A strong chance here. This Ciaron Maher-trained colt showed determination last start at Canterbury over 1550m, just missing out late. Dropping back to 1400m with blinkers added should sharpen him up for a winning performance.

    Race 4: Magic Millions Rising Stars Handicap (C4) (fillies and mares) – 1300m

    7. Until Valhalla (10)

    Trainer:C.Maher – Jockey:B.Shinn – Weight: 57kg

    Ran two lengths off the winner first-up at Randwick and improves quickly. Placed second-up at Kensington previously, and with Blake Shinn’s 29% strike rate for this trainer, a touch of improvement puts him in the mix.

    Race 5: Magic Millions Rising Stars Handicap (C4) (colts and geldings) – 1300m

    1. Cunnamulla Fella (7)

    Trainer:R.L.Heathcote – Jockey:M.R.du Plessis – Weight: 60kg

    One ride for Mark du Plessis and it’s on a fairly progressive 4 year old gelding here. Would need some luck after what looked like an average trial, but last prep he progressed nicely and they’re not up on the Gold Coast for a holiday. Each Way.

    Race 6: Magic Millions Plate (C6) – 1200m

    8. Lady Shotgun (12)

    Trainer:A.E.Plumb – Jockey:C.Williams – Weight: 58kg

    In top form for Angela Plumb, unbeaten in 3 starts this prep, including a strong 1300m win here last time. The draw is tricky, but with Craig Williams aboard, expect her to finish stronger than most.

    Race 7: Magic Millions The Wave – 1800m

    11. Rapt (10)

    Trainer:J.C.Deamer – Jockey:T.Clark – Weight: 56.5kg

    Had a perfect preperation for this race and after last start winning superbly over the mile, it would be amiss to jump off now.

    Race 8: Magic Millions The Syndicate – 1100m

    7. Zou Sensation (5)

    Trainer:Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin – Jockey:T.Schiller – Weight: 58.5kg

    Great preperation and arguably should have won last start. In superb form and cannot believe the price that the market is for a sire on fire and a horse that is in career best form.

    Race 9: Magic Millions Sunlight Plate – 1100m

    11. Vestas (7)

    Trainer:C.W.McDonald – Jockey:J.Kah – Weight: 55kg

    A quirky yet talented filly with a powerful motor. Her debut win was electric, and she was unlucky not to salute on Oaks day. The key will be how she handles the heat, but if she delivers her best, she’s excellent value at $7.50.

    Race 10: Experience Gold Coast Sunlight Consolation – 1100m

    1. Hezdarnhottoo (NZ) (8)

    Trainer:B.Baker – Jockey:T.Berry – Weight: 57kg

    A Too Darn Hot gelding for Bjorn Baker resuming after a narrow but strong Class 1 win at Wyong on Sep 6. The stable is flying, and his impressive trial work suggests he’s ready to fire first-up.

    Recent post: https://www.colossalbet.com.au/blog/2024-12-27/preview-magic-millions-vo-rogue-plate

  • Fully Lit to fire in Black Opal

    Inglis Millennium winner Fully Lit headlines Sunday’s Black Opal at Canberra.


    Gai Waterhouse     and Adrain Bott will be well represented in the nations capital’s biggest day of racing, headlined by unbeaten two-year-old colt Fully Lit in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m).

    The stable are enjoying an unprecedented two-year-old season with 19 total wins, including Fully Lit, with the Hellbent colt set to star a short-priced favourite for Sunday’s Black Opal, which the stable hope see him present as yet another Golden Slipper chance.

    “He’s come through his last win in the Millennium beautifully and he’s trialled nicely since,” Bott said.

    “He’s in great order, and obviously has plenty of upside. He’s improving every start.”

    Gai Waterhouse holds the record with seven Golden Slipper winners, one of those in partnership with Bott, who says Sunday’s race will be another piece in the puzzle as to Fully Lit’s standing in the Sipper pecking order.

    “I’d like to see him perform well in the Black Opal to see where he is at. It’s always a competitive contest so this will give us a great guide.”

    Fully Lit is the $1.50 favourite for the Black Opal after drawing barrier three with Regan Bayliss to maintain his association with the colt. Peter and Paul Snowden  have the only other two horses in single figures with Holmes A Court at $6 and King Of Roseau at $9.
    Meanwhile, in a far more open affair, Waterhouse & Bott will saddle up recent Magic Millions winner So United in the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m), who has drawn barrier seven in a field of 11 with Tim Clark onboard.

    “We thought So United was great last start…before that he was really impressive when he won at the Gold Coast. He’s progressive and continues to improve,” Bott said.

    So United is a $5 second elect behind the Kris Lees trained Almania at $4.20, who will jump from barrier 10.

  • Storm Boy dazzles again to romp home with Skyline!

    James McDonald has bestowed high praise on unbeaten colt Storm Boy saying, “he’s as good as you get”.

    Gai Waterhouse and Adrain Bott don’t just have their sights set on the Golden Slipper with Storm Boy, they are also eyeing off a clean sweep of the juvenile triple crown.

    As the raging Slipper favourite made light work of his Skyline Stakes (1200m) rivals at Randwick on Saturday, Bott was already thinking of the bigger autumn picture and the heights the $60 million colt might reach.

    He revealed that he and Waterhouse were keen to target the youngster, not just at the Golden Slipper (1200m), but at the ATC Sires’ Produce (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m) as well.

    “We’ve had to prepare for the Golden Slipper, but we’ve got big targets for the triple crown as well,” Bott said.

    “I’d like to think he is only going to be better suited getting over the 1400, 1600 metres in time.

    “It’s very exciting for everyone involved.”

    Having his first start since demolishing his Magic Millions rivals, Storm Boy wasn’t the best to begin but quickly mustered speed to take up the running under new jockey James Mcdonald.

    As the pressure came on at the top of the straight, the $1.18 favourite found another gear, extending his advantage and cruising to the line 1-1/2 lengths clear of stablemate Prost ($12) with Duvana  ($18) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.

    Bott said it was a relief to see Storm Boy return so well from his Magic Millions foray and tick the final box in what will be his last start before the Golden Slipper in three weeks.

    “It’s always a little bit nerve wracking seeing these profile horses come back off that turnaround,” Bott said.

    “He’s a lovely style of horse, he’s got plenty of gears.

    “It’s his first run (back) and at 1200 metres off a while between races and a freshen up – he’s only had the one trial and he’s a lovely, big colt – so I think condition-wise, that will tighten him up nicely.”

    McDonald was having his first race day feel of Storm Boy and came away brimming with praise for the Coolmore colt.

    He believes there is still more under the bonnet and expects the youngster to thrive in a high-pressure race like the Slipper.

    “He’s as good as you get,” McDonald said.

    “He’s strong, he knows he’s really good and the more you ask him the more he keeps giving.

    “Until he gets into a high-pressure race, I think that is when you’ll see a fair dinkum horse.”

    Connections are yet to decide if McDonald will keep the Slipper ride, or if it will go to English jockey Ryan Moore, who jetted in to claim last year’s two-year-old centrepiece for Coolmore on Shinzo.

    However, McDonald made it clear he is keen to stick with the Skyline Stakes winner.

    “Ryan (Moore) is obviously their number one and we’ll see what happens, but if I get the opportunity, I’d love to ride him,” McDonald said.

    The Michael Freedman-trained Manaal took out the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) for the fillies to remain the only non-Tulloch Lodge two-year-old to claim a black-type race in Sydney this season.

    Manaal also denied Waterhouse and Bott when capturing the Gimcrack Stakes in September and while Freedman said she would most likely press on to the Slipper, he admitted the males looked hard to beat this year.

    “She is one of the better fillies around, whether they can stack up against the colts remains to be seen,” Freedman said.

    “We thought we could come here and get the job done, we’ll have a think about the Slipper.”

    The Golden Slipper picture took further shape last week when Storm Boy had his first start since the Magic Millions carnival and while he did not elevate his peak rating, he tightened his grip on Slipper favouritism.

    While he will still be favourite after Saturday night, the Slipper market is set to be reshaped and a main danger defined this weekend with the Todman Stakes and Reisling Stakes to be run at Randwick.

  • Ozzmosis aiming to uphold family tradition

    Ozzmosis out to become the fourth generation Coolmore winner

    Ozzmosis has the job of continuing his family’s amazing connection with the Coolmore Stud Stakes when the $2 million Group 1 is run at Flemington this Saturday.

    The Bjorn Baker-trained colt is out to become a fourth generation winner of the 1200-metre event that has risen to become the most significant race for three-year-old colts on the Australian calendar.

    Ozzmosis is by Zoustar, who won the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2013, five years after his sire Northern Meteor won the race.

    Back when the race was known as the Ascot Vale Stakes – before it moved to Derby Day, which coincided with its elevation to Group 1 status – Northern Meteor’s sire Encosta De Lago won it in 1996.

    Baker recognises the 19-horse field that contains the Golden Slipper trifecta of Shinzo, Cylinder and King’s Gambit, plus local stars including Stretan Angel, Steparty and I Am Unstoppable, is not going to be easy but is an obvious target for his classy colt.

    “He is a well-bred colt, he’s got a great attitude and I think he can run a big one,” Baker said.

    “It is obviously going to be a very hard race, but he is in good order.”

    Ozzmosis, a $250,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling, is out of the Darci Brahma mare No More Tears, who is a daughter of Ocean Of Tears.

    Ocean Of Tears (Minardi) is from the Centaine mare Procure, which makes her a half-sister to Hips Don’t Lie, the dam of Acrobat, Lake Geneva and Ennis Hill, who is the dam of one of last season’s top two-year-olds Learning To Fly.

    Ozzmosis did not debut until late May, when he won easily at Gosford, before a similarly impressive win at Randwick on June 10.

    He was then put away to be prepared for his three-year-old season and made it three from three in the Listed Heritage Stakes before a third placing in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) won by Coolmore rival King’s Gambit.

    The Darby Racing-owned colt tuned up for the Coolmore with a slick Flemington jumpout win last Friday, leaving Baker and raceday jockey Rachel King happy.

    “Rachel was very happy with him, so that gives us a bit of confidence going into Saturday,” Baker said.

    “He seems to have settled in well down there and we’re very happy with him going into the race.”

    Zoustar is the only stallion represented in this year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes who is a past winner, but three others have supplied winners of the race.

    I Am Invincible, who has King’s Gambit, I Am Unstoppable and Tiz Invincible engaged, is the sire of Brazen Beau (2014), Home Affairs (2021) and In Secret (2022), Cylinder’s sire Exceed And Excel is a two-time winner of the race, while Steparty’s sire Artie Schiller produced Flying Artie to win in 2016.

  • Cummings playing it Strait in Eagle

    What began as a pipedream will become a reality when Strait Acer lines up in the Golden Eagle.

    He might have a famous racing surname, but the effort of Edward Cummings to have a Cox Plate and Golden Eagle runner in the space of eight days has been a notable feat.

    Cummings, the grandson of Cups King Bart and son of respected Sydney trainer Anthony, has a boutique team of just 22 horses in work at Hawkesbury.

    Despite his small numbers, he saddled up Duais to a luckless fourth in the Cox Plate (2040m) last weekend and will start Strait Acer in Saturday’s $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.

    While the latter is a $34 chance in pre-race markets, he arrives at the race in the form of his life.

    Stringing together a hat-trick of wins in Midway and Benchmark grade, Strait Acer stepped up to the Silver Eagle (1300m) and despite a chequered passage in the straight, he motored to the line for an encouraging second to Vienna Princess.

    If Cummings wasn’t certain he had a Golden Eagle contender going into the Silver Eagle, he was after it.

    “Even though it was the plan and we got into the race fair and square, I thought I was half-mad just for trying it because he was so far out of the handicap,” Cummings said.

    “We started his prep a month earlier than we normally do with our horses because he was that forward and because we needed to test him and get him up in the ratings quickly.

    “We had one run where we could be unlucky and the rest of them would have to be runs where he was winning, and that’s basically how it has turned out.

    “He put a few together and the last run in the Silver Eagle was really good.”

    Cummings can see similarities between Strait Acer and a horse he trained in partnership with his father, 2018 Villiers Stakes winner Sky Boy.

    After showing early promise, Sky Boy notched five successive victories during the spring and summer of that year and Cummings has used him as a barometer for Strait Acer.

    “Watching a horse like him reminds me a lot of Sky Boy when he had that prep stringing five or six wins together, culminating in the Villiers,” Cummings said.

    “We have gone on a very similar journey and that experience has informed a lot of what we’ve done with this horse.

    “The horse is in great nick, and he is just learning and improving all the time.”

    Cummings will also start Queenmaker in the TAB Handicap (1900m), the mare continuing to thrive as she prepares to line up for her sixteenth start in a campaign that kicked off in February.

    “We did give her a month freshen-up (in July), she’s had five or six starts since then and it’s only her second racing preparation. She loves it,” Cummings said.

    “Zac Lloyd goes back on and I think he’ll be riding her with a fair bit of confidence.”

  • Kovalica Waller’s Golden boy

    Chris Waller has put blinkers on Kovalica to sharpen him up for a slight distance drop.

    The Cox Plate came under serious consideration for Kovalica, but his performance in the King Charles III Stakes convinced connections the $10 million Golden Eagle was the right target.

    The Queensland Derby winner was one of the few horses to make headway from back in the field, coming from last on the corner to finish fifth behind stablemate Fangirl.

    That 1600m effort has proved the determining factor in resisting the temptation to step Kovalica up to 2040m in last Saturday’s Cox Plate and instead fit him with blinkers for a Golden Eagle (1500m) assault.

    “Had he not sprinted as hard as what he did in the King Charles, the Cox Plate would have been the logical race to go to,” trainer Chris Waller‘s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said.

    “But the fact he was reeling in older weight-for-age stars, and that he’s only four once …. the Cox Plate is still going to be there for him next year.”

    Waller won the inaugural Golden Eagle with Kolding, who like Kovalica was raced by Neville Morgan and sported the prominent owner’s blue and white colours.

    But they aren’t the only commonalities the horses share.

    Both are by Ocean Park, both won the Queensland Guineas the previous winter and like Kolding, Kovalica will tackle the Golden Eagle fourth-up and off the back of a Group 1 mile run at Randwick.

    Duckworth can make cases for all of the stable’s runners but says Kovalica’s fast finishing second in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) and his King Charles Stakes effort make him Waller’s top seed.

    “He pretty much has to be,” Duckworth said.

    “Despite only running second and fifth, you couldn’t have asked more from any horse in his last two runs.”

    The commitment of jockey Tommy Berry has also been a confidence boost.

    Berry has been retained for the Golden Eagle mount after riding Kovalica last start and hasn’t missed an opportunity to sit on his back since.

    “Tommy has come in and galloped him on the Saturday, Tuesday, (last) Saturday and again on Tuesday.

    “He is putting the hard yards in and he has got bags of faith in the horse.”

    Kovalica ($10) will lead a five-pronged Golden Eagle bid for Waller, although he has been a market drifter since landing gate 16 at Tuesday night’s barrier draw.

    His barn mates fared better with Rediener drawing three, Osipenko and Vienna Princess alongside each other in barriers eight and nine respectively, while Age Of Kings will jump from gate 11.

  • Amelia’s Jewel shining ahead of Golden Eagle

    Simon Miller is confident Amelia’s Jewel can bounce back in the $10 million Golden Eagle.

    His stable star may have been beaten for just the second time in her career last start, but Simon Miller couldn’t be happier with Amelia’s Jewel ahead of Saturday’s 1500m Golden Eagle at Rosehill.

    Beaten 5.5 lengths as a $2.40 favorite in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) last start, Miller is confident the Group 1 winning mare is 100%, working her the Sydney way of going at Flemington on Tuesday morning.

    “Her work was brilliant, really good, strong, weights good, she’s eating up again which is what she always does. I was just waiting for her to get back on her game before I increased her work again and she did,” Miller said.

    Damian Lane will remain on Amelia’s Jewel this weekend, forgoing rides at Flemington to partner her, something Miller takes confidence in.

    “He reverse galloped her last Tuesday… it was her first time proper reverse gallop, she got on the right lead straight away and then Saturday morning she launched onto the right lead straight away and he said “mate, she’s taken to this pretty good,” Miller said.

    “He was glowing in his post-race gallop.”

    Miller puts Amelia’s Jewel’s poor performance in the Toorak Handicap down to the occasion and an “off day”, something he noticed in her demeanour pre-race.

    “We were tickled pink going to Caulfield, and then I got into the pre-enclosure and I thought we’re in a bit of trouble here, it’s amazing how externally they can look brilliant and internally there’s something not right,” Miller said.

    Originally with a tough decision between the Golden Eagle or last Saturday’s Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), Miller and owner Peter Walsh effectively had their decision made for them after her ninth placing in the Toorak.

    “We were probably lucky we got three weeks to the Eagle… You can’t hit the Cox Plate like that… that extra week just let us idle her along so the timing was perfect,” Miller said.

    Amelia’s Jewel will travel to Sydney on Wednesday night but won’t get a feel for the Rosehill track before Saturday, set to stable her with John O’Shea.

    “I’m going to stay at Randwick, I’ve got to stay at my old bosses, at O’Shea’s, otherwise he’ll kill me… It’s interesting isn’t it, how will she go with it (Rosehill), I’m not sure. She’s pretty professional, she got around The Valley her first go… I think she’ll be fine,” Miller said.

    Miller will bring Amelia’s Jewel back to Perth after Saturday’s Golden Eagle, for which she is the $4.50 favorite, and hasn’t completely ruled out running in The Pinnacles at Ascot in December.