All eyes will be on the Gold Coast this Saturday for one of the richest days on the racing calendar with the running of the 2023 Magic Millions. Both feature races this year look wide open with a few smart types going head to head in the 2yo Classic while the exciting Yellow Brick tops the market in the 3yo Guineas.
There are a number of other strong races across the afternoon and Billy Bestford is back once again to bring you his best bets and race previews for all the key races.
Gold Coast Racing Tips: Saturday January 14th
Race 2
The inaugural running of “The Debut” race with $500k on offer for this field of first starters. It’s a bit of a dart-board job but I do think there is some value on offer. (5) Rush Hour makes his way up north for Nathan Doyle and I don’t think he would have brought him up here if he didn’t have an opinion. The horse has been trialling really nicely down in Sydney and maps for a perfect trail just off the speed. I think he can put these away and might have some better races in his future.
Many will be keen on (1) Getty off the back of his trial work and of course any time the Snowden camp step out with a 2yo you have to take note. This horse was a $320k purchase and from what we have seen so far he looks above average.
(11) Stefi Magnetica has won both her trials leading into this and the stable have been flying of late. She’s shown a nice turn of foot at both trials to date and maps for a nice rain with options for Rachel King. Decent each way chance.
(2) Marching is bred to be a star and they paid upwards of $500k for him. The Gaibott stable know how to produce a 2yo and Tim Clark rides front-runners better than anyone else.
(5) Rush Hour
$6.50 (1 unit)
Race 4
Think (2) Scallopini looks close to the best bet of the day for mine. He resumes today with a very impressive fresh record, winning four times. He looked good in a recent trial, not asked to do much and I think he has a couple of lengths on most of these. He maps to be just off the speed and I expect Zahra to be confident on him and could give them something to catch as they turn for home.
(4) Contemptuous looks the value runner for mine tackling this race 2nd up off a good fresh effort. He’s a very good second up horse and has won four times over 1200m. Craig Williams jumps on and I think this horse should be single figures.
This is (1) Eleven Eleven’s favourite race day of the year, seemingly winning every time he comes to the Gold Coast. He’s won three of four here and gets McDonald on from a great barrier. With that said I’m not sure how well he’s been racing lately and happy to be against him at the price.
(13) Hidden Wealth is the new blood and has done nothing wrong in his career to date so far. Has been dominant at last couple and winning form is generally the best kind of form. 1200m the slight query but has plenty of upside.
(2) Scallopini
$2.40 (2.5 units)
Race 7
Here it is, the Magic Millions 2 year old classic with a wide open field and plenty of strong chances. I’m looking to back a few at odds and look for a collect.
The first of those is (10) Platinum Jubilee who I think is arguably the best 2yo coming out of Sydney at the moment. Was an enormous win on debut before only just being run down by a race-fit horse first up. He will improve off that effort and draws ideally in barrier 7. If he runs 1200m he will be right in the finish.
(13) Skirt The Law has done nothing wrong in her short career so far and looks to lead the field up here from the low draw. She has already ticked the 1200m box and we really haven’t seen the best of her yet. Her upside is immense and I think she just looks the map horse in a race where many of the big chances have drawn poorly.
Liked what I’ve seen from (11) Croatian Belle down in Melbourne with two very impressive wins. She looks as if she has won both of them with plenty of gas left in the tank but has shown a nice turn of foot when required. Think she can follow something into the race and just needs to run 1200m to be a chance.
(14) Miss Coota has started in red figures at all three of her starts to date, winning the first two of them in dominant fashion. She missed the start last time out and that cost her. Obviously the barrier is tough here but if she can manage a bit of luck early I think she’s a touch over the odds.
(4) Empire Of Japan flew home at second start to just miss and that looks a perfect grounding for this race now. Jmac jumps in the saddle and this horse looks like he could be anything.
(2) Sovereign Fund will gave plenty of fans as well, unbeaten from two career runs and Jamie Kah taking the ride. Barrier makes it tough.
Also Backing: (13) Skirt The Law - $6 (1 unit)
Value: (14) Miss Coota - $23 (0.25 units)
(10) Platinum Jubilee
$7.50 (1 unit)
Race 8
Really like the setup for (14) Russian Conquest who has clearly been targeted towards this race by the stable. Last year’s winner King Of Sparta had an almost identical lead up, running on well to place in the Wyong Magic Millions and then tackling this race 2nd up. Russian Conquest has done exactly that and I’m hoping we get a similar result. McDonald takes over from a nice gate and this horse deserves another win.
(4) Yellow Brick has now won five on the bounce and looks one of QLD’s more exciting horses. Will make all his own luck up in the lead and I expect he is the one that Russian Conquest will have to run past to win.
(15) Latakia had the right run last week and I like her on the quick backup. Trust the stable to have her right for this and once again she looks to geta dream run just off the leaders back.
I think (10) Green Shadows is bursting to win a race and the dry track will be in his favour. Dropping back to a trip he has won over will suit.
(7) Hell I Am won the Magic Millions at Wyong first up and was very good again 2nd up. Should be set to peak now 3rd up and I think he will be right to run 1400m.
(14) Russian Conquest
$5.10 (2 units)
