While Gai Waterhouse has won four Magic Millions 2yo Classic’s, the most of any trainer, she and co-trainer Adrian Bott, who have been in partnership since 2016, are yet to taste success in the race.
This year however, they bring three genuine chances, all with differing form lines, although Bott believes Platinum Jubilee is the stable’s best chance.
“The class of the fields’ have probably been with Platinum Jubilee, her win in the Gimcrack and then that race in Sydney the other day, I think that’s a strong form race,” Bott said.
Platinum Jubilee, who came from back in the field to win the Gimcrack, took up the running last start and was beaten by the barest of margins by Fire Lane, with race-favourite Empire Of Japan ½ a length away in third.
“I thought she was excellent, we probably had to ride her a bit out of her pattern, she’ll improve off the run, she’s drawn well, there’s a lot to like about her,” Bott said.
While Platinum Jubilee has shown adaptability in her two starts, Royal Entrance has led throughout to win both career starts, having proven too slick last Saturday in the Aquis Stallions Gold Nugget, at the Gold Coast over 1100m.
“Royal Entrance is on the backup which is a proven formula up here, I thought if we brought him up he’d be the type of horse that could handle that program… he’s come out of the race in good shape, he’s tough, he keeps improving,” Bott said.
Although there is likely to be more pressure, Bott suggested that his on-pace racing pattern will hold him in good stead, while the opposite has been true of the stable’s third chance, Summer Loving.
“Both of her runs have been very good, she’s just sort of gotten back in difficult positions and run home and run really big races… she’s been leaving herself with too much to do so hopefully with the blinkers on she can take a position in the race and that should see improvement,” Bott said.
As for the market, Bott believes it to be an accurate assumption of he and Waterhouse’s chances.
“I think taking a line through a few of the different forms has opened the market up a little bit, but I still think they’ve got it pretty right.”
Platinum Jubilee is a $7 equal second favourite with the TAB, while Royal Entrance is at $14 and Summer Loving at $16.