The Magic Millions Classic in January is on the radar for connections of Icarian Dream after the two-year-old filly made a winning start to her racing career at Warwick Farm.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Icarian Dream was an impressive winner at the official two-year-old barrier trials at Randwick late last month and had been entered for the Gimcrack Stakes only to be scratched from that race.
Instead, Icarian Dream stepped out for the first time in Wednesday’s Ranvet Plate (1000m) for two-year-olds and scored a determined win under jockey Tim Clark.
Maher said heading towards the Magic Millions for two-year-olds in January would be the plan with the filly.
“The team have done a great job with her,” Maher said.
“It’s a really good start. We can now map a path towards the Magic Millions.
“Normally we get them up there early and give them a run up there, and hopefully target a stakes race.
“She’s started the right way.”
Icarian Dream was sent out the $2.30 betting sites favourite in Wednesday’s field of six and settled just behind the leading pair before Clark made a three-wide move approaching the home turn.
Icarian Dream was in a position to strike from the top of the home straight and the filly responded to the challenge from Burma Star to edge past that colt over the concluding stages to score by a half-neck.
The leader Enchanted By stuck on for third, another half-neck away.
“They had an easy time through that first couple of furlongs so I wanted to make sure I put her into the race coming into the turn because they had gone slow and I knew they were going to slip home pretty quickly,” Clark said.
“The race was there to be won or lost at the 100-metre mark and to her credit she dug deep and found the line well.”
Wednesday’s race was the first time Clark had been aboard Icarian Dream and he believes the filly has upside.
“It was my first sit on her but she’s an impressive young filly,” Clark said.
“Obviously it was there for everyone to see her trial at the official two-year-old trials.
“Unfortunately she didn’t get to the Gimcrack but they were patient, waited, and got the result today.”