Shailer keen for magic run to continue at Warwick

By Glenn Davis

It will be back to the real world for Gold Coast trainer Paul Shailer just a few days after winning one of the biggest races of his career on Magic Millions day on Saturday.

The Shailer-trained Toorak Jewel, a $36,000 buy for Mishani boss Mike Crooks, produced a stunning all-the-way win in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut.

Shailer’s biggest win of his career came with Isti Star in the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in May of last year.

It’s a race which also could be on Toorak Jewel’s agenda during the winter as Shailer weighs up his options for the filly.

“I need to work out just how good she is, so I might have to speak to a few form experts,” Shailer said.

“She ran a slick time and James McDonald was very complimentary about her performance after the race.

“She’ll go to the paddock for 10 days and then we’ll decide on two options.

“She can stay here and run in the QTIS Jewel, then come back after a spell and aim for the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic or we can head down the Golden Slipper path.”

Shailer once worked for champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller before starting his own career and is gradually making a name for himself on Queensland’s glitter strip on the Gold Coast.

Shailer didn’t celebrate his Magic Millions triumph with Toorak Jewel and stayed grounded ahead of heading to the country meeting at Warwick on Thursday.

“I had a quiet night and cooked a steak and went to bed after the win and didn’t celebrate too much,” he said.

“It will be back to reality when we go to Warwick.”

Shailer plans to start Dont Call Me Honey and Flying Birds in the Benchmark 70 Handicap at Warwick.

Dont Call Me Honey won first-up at Ballina in late November and is coming off a last start ninth in an 1100 metre Benchmark race at the Gold Coast on December 19.

“He’s going great and was unlucky not to win last start at the Gold Coast,” Shailer said.

“This is a big drop in grade for him so he should be very competitive.”

Flying Birds is second-up after having his first start in seven months when sixth in a 1220 metre Benchmark race at Lismore on January 4.

“That was his first start for me and he went into the race without a barrier trial,” Shailer said.

“He looked a chance at the 300 metre mark but he peaked on his run.

“He’ll be competitive, but he might need some rain to help his chances.”