The punters are starting to come for Tony McEvoy’s fit filly Sunlight in a big way ahead of her shot at a third Gold Coast win on the trot this afternoon in the Restricted Listed $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
Luke Currie retains the ride on firming Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite Sunlight at the Gold Coast this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The $10 million Gold Coast Magic Millions Race Day features nine events across the afternoon, including a gun field of promising juveniles chasing the lucrative $1.2 million first prize on offer in the Classic.
Earlier in the week it was a close affair in the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au on the set weights clash, but a firm favourite has emerged in Zoustar filly Sunlight.
A winner of two of her three career starts to date, Sunlight’s only loss was her brave third behind fellow Magic Millions 2YO Classic hopeful Nomothaj in the Listed $120,000 Maribyrnong Trial (1000m) at Flemington back in early October last year.
She has returned in outstanding order this summer winning her two Gold Coast starts by a combined margin of over nine lengths.
The latest was just last Saturday where hoop Luke Currie, who continues his association on the class youngster this afternoon, guided her to a runaway success carrying 58kg in a two-years-old handicap over 1100m.
Sunlight will have no issues going up to 1200m in the Magic Millions Classic and will relish coming back down to 55kg.
Originally the odds eased on her making it a trio of wins on the trot after she drew wide out in gate 15.
With the five race emergencies all failing to gain a start, Sunlight and Currie will jump from barrier 12 this afternoon and that looks the ideal starting position for the flying filly.
The speed looks set to be on in this year’s Magic Millions Classic and that should see Sunlight camp just off the pace before making her late assault.
She now sits top of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic odds at $3.80 having been backed-in from $4.50.
Former favourite Ef Troop from the Brisbane stables of Tony Gollan meanwhile is now the $4.20 second elect to make it three-from-three from one outside of Sunlight.
Jockey Matthew McGillivray retains the ride on the son of Spirit Of Boom whose last start in mid-December produced an over five length Doomben victory in the Listed $100,000 Phelan Ready Stakes (1100m).
Ef Troop presents fresh at the Gold Coast and will looking to be emulate the performance of the widely-drawn Houtzen (2017) last summer who burned across from a double-digit gate to go all-the-way in the Magic Millions Classic.
The other main danger according to the bookmakers is Jonker, but David Atkins’ colt has eased right out in betting from $4.20 to $6.50.
Coming into barrier two with ace Sydney-based hoop Hugh Bowman booked for the ride, Jonker is also a son of Spirit Of Boom who has won both of his career starts.
The latest on December 21 was in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m), form the Newcastle-based Atkins is hoping stacks up in Queensland this afternoon.
Bowman, of Winx fame, is out for a record-equalling third Magic Millions Classic winning ride joining Mick Dittman and Chris Munce.
Bradbury’s Luck (2005) and Mime Lebrock (2007) are the two previous Magic Millions Classic winners ridden to victory by Bowman.