WYONG trainer Sara Ryan says her Magic Millions 2YO Classic hopeful Sapling “has been here before”.
The Anders filly makes her debut at home in Wednesday’s $200,000 Classic (1100m) as she strives to clinch a berth in an even bigger target - the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
Reece Jones will ride Sapling, the sole local and provincial representative in Wednesday’s line-up.
Ryan’s major client Domeland Pty Ltd paid $130,000 for Sapling at the MM yearling sale at the Gold Coast in January, and she could not be more pleased with the filly’s progress leading into the launch of her racing career.
“Sapling has screamed two-year-old from the time we got her,” Ryan said on Monday evening.
“She isn’t a big filly, but has the biggest personality of any two-year-old I have worked with.
“Sapling is such a real professional, and hasn’t put a foot wrong.”
At her only trial, Sapling did everything right in beating six rivals in an 845m heat at home on November 26.
She ran 49.43 seconds (last 600m in 33.44s), more than a second faster than the other two-year-old heat winner, Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ Tassort filly Wolzeille (50.69s).
“Sapling has been aimed at the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast,” Ryan said.
“Our plan was to go to either the Wyong race or the $250,000 The Debut 2YO Plate (1000m) at the opening night meeting at the Gold Coast on Friday week.
“When she drew a nice gate on Wednesday, it made sense to start her at home.
“Whilst she had only the one trial, she has had jumpouts on the grass and Polytrack and Reece (Jones) has ridden her in those, and thus knows her well.”
Whilst this will be Ryan’s inaugural runner in the 2YO Classic at home, she won the opening race (a 1350m Maiden Handicap) at last year’s meeting with How Much Better.
. The Magic Millions carnival also is on the agenda for Kembla Grange three-year-old Smashing Time, who is a likely Royal Randwick runner on Saturday.
Trainers Rob and Luke Price have nominated the gelding for both a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) and Benchmark 78 Handicap at the same distance.
He has 56kg in the former, and 2kg less in the latter.
Smashing Time, following a first-up Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1200m) success at home on October 12, finished fifth of six in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) against his own age at Randwick a fortnight later.
“We gave Smashing Time a short break after that race,” co-trainer Luke Price said.
“He won’t go to Randwick on Saturday unless we’re confident he will run well, and there’s also the option of the $300,000 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) for three-year-olds at Eagle Farm on December 28.”
Smashing Time’s target is the $3m Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on the same program as the MM 2YO Classic (January 11).
. Rustic Steel has been given 57.5kg for Saturday’s $2m Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick, and his trainer Kris Lees also has nominated last year’s winner Loch Eagle, Spangler and Tavi Time (all 54kg).
Fellow Newcastle trainer Scott Aspery has the other provincial entry Uzziah (54kg).
Twenty-seven horses were entered, and 20 can run with provision for four emergencies.
Lees’ Brudenell and Infancy, leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s Jedibeel and Gosford trainer Angela Davies’ Our Kobison are amongst entries for the Listed Razor Sharp Quality (1200m), along with last year’s Wyong MM 3& 4YO Stakes winner Royal Merchant from Ciaron Maher’s Newcastle base.
Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s Sky Lab and Kembla Grange trainer Mitch Beer’s King Frankel have been nominated for the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m).
Story John Curtis, December 9, 2024
Comments