Jason Warren’s in-form gelding Bel Sonic is out to secure a shot at the Restricted Listed $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on the Gold Coast next race via a Moonee Valley win this weekend.
Jason Warren’s 2018 Magic Millions Guineas hopeful Bel Sonic has form around Group 1 winner Merchant Navy (pictured). Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The riches of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival grand final race day on January 13 call for the Mornington-based Bel Esprit three-year-old, but first Bel Sonic must salute in Victoria on Saturday.
Warren has the up-and-comer booked in for a run in the $120,000 VOBIS Gold Carat (1200m) at The Valley with Bel Sonic to give the weight away to his rivals carrying 58kg.
A winner of two of his four career starts to date, Bel Sonic was last seen winning a Benchmark 70 over 1000m with 59kg on his back on December 9 at Pakenham.
He steps-up to 1200m for the first time since his third on debut behind subsequent Group 1 winner Merchant Navy back in early March as a $41 roughie.
Bel Sonic was impressive that day when under two lengths beaten by the winner Merchant Navy, Aaron Purcell’s Fastnet Rock colt franking the form winning his next three on the trot including September’s Group 3 $150,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m).
Merchant Navy finished a disappointing 10th next race at Rosehill in his Sydney debut behind shock runaway winner Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).
He was quick to atone however back in Melbourne during the Cup Carnival taking out the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight on VRC Derby Day.
That all bodes well for Bel Sonic this weekend and looking towards the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, which he currently sits No. 41 on the order of entry for.
“A win on Saturday would probably get him in the field,” Warren told AAP.
“You would imagine the race might drop away a touch because nominations are taken a long way out, but he’d probably need to win on Saturday to make sure of it.
“We don’t want to be travelling all that way, sweating on a run.”
Current pre-field Magic Millions 3YO Guineas betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au list the untapped youngster as a $41 outsider.
This autumn’s Golden Slipper winning hoop Ben Melham is booked to ride Bel Sonic on Saturday, returning aboard the horse for the first time since a Geelong win on the Synthetic track back in mid-August.
“He’s always shown us he’s well above average but he’s still a work in progress,” Warren added of Bel Sonic.
“He’s still pretty raw and doesn’t know what he’s doing yet but he’s a horse with plenty of upside, that’s for sure.
“The more experience he gets the better, and a trip away also won’t hurt him.
“If we could win a race like that up there it would help sell some yearlings.”
The make-up of the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas field and early odds for the Gold Coast feature will further take shape after Thursday’s Wyong Magic Millions Race Day.