Trainer James Cummings is getting excited about the chances of Exhilarates in Saturday’s $2m The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, will ride Exhilarates in the 2019 Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Exhilarates forced her way into contention for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic with a breakthrough win at the Gold Coast last Saturday in the QTIS Two Years Old Handicap (1100m) and will be the first two year old filly to carry the famous Godolphin royal blue colours in the $2m juvenile feature.
“The run she got last start was the best she’s had in a race so far and it was also her best performance,” Cummings said.
“On the strength of her last two runs I think we can rely on her to run well again.”
“She’s one of the big improvers, her work has been very good and she’s ready to go.”
“She had to win last Saturday to be sure of a start, but even if she hadn’t need to, she would still have run.”
“She needed it not only for the benefit of her fitness, but she got the added advantage of having a look at the track.”
Exhilarates drew barrier nine in the original draw of sixteen plus five emergencies but will come in two spots if all of the reserves fail to gain a start.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy gets the ride again on the Snitzel filly after the pair combined for last Saturday’s win.
Exhilarates is currently on the second line of betting at $5 at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic behind the $4.80 favourite Dubious while the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Unite And Conquer has drifted slightly to be the third pick at $5.50.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Dubious remained unbeaten from two race starts when he won a 1000m two year old Handicap at Eagle Farm on December 22 and will get a dream run from barrier five with Michael Walker in the saddle again.
Unite And Conquer is also a winner at his only two starts but got the drifts in the betting after coming up with barrier eighteen in the original draw but will most likely jump from gate fourteen in the final sixteen horse field with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle.
Hyeronimus looked very comfortable on Unite And Conquer when they combined for an all the way win in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1100m) at Wyong on December 12.
The post Cummings is getting excited about Exhilarates in 2019 Magic Millions 2yo Classic appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
