Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

Dunn's flying filly bids for Magic Millions Guineas

2 December 2021

Share this page

Share on a platform

Or copy the page link

DSD-0524.JPGBy Glenn Davis

Trainer Matt Dunn will roll the dice and test promising filly Coco Rox for the first time on a wet track as she bids to enhance her Magic Millions Guineas prospects in the Listed Mode Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.

Coco Rox made it two wins from only three starts when she downed the Bryan Dais-trained Glorious Ruby in a 1000-metre three-year-old race at the Sunshine Coast on November 20.

It followed an easy all the way maiden win at Grafton a month ago.

Coco Rox’s time of 56.58 seconds at the Sunshine Coast stunned observers as it was only 0.66 seconds slower than open company sprinter Zoustyle who set a new track record in the following race, the Swiss Ace Plate.

The daughter of Better Than Ready came home the last 600 metres in 33.27 seconds compared to Zoustyle who scorched home in 32.63 seconds.

“It didn’t surprise me as I’ve always thought she was pretty good,” Dunn said.

“She’s not a BOBS horse as she’s QTIS registered and the only reason we took her to Grafton for her maiden was for a kill.

“It’s taken her a little while to develop as she’s struggled with maturity.

“It’s never been a lack of ability only a lack of strength and she went shin sore a couple of times.”

Although Coco Rox is yet to be tested on a rain-affected track, Dunn is confident she will handle the conditions, particularly with the expected good drying conditions.

“She’s never raced on a wet track and I’m only guessing how she’ll cope if the track is heavy,” he said.

“She’s worked okay at home on a heavy track but not as bad as a Heavy 10.”

Dunn paid $82,500 for Coco Rex at the Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast in 2020 after taking an instant liking to her.

“I bought her on type alone as she was a very nice looking filly,” he said.

“She’s dealt with a few of her opposition before so if she handles the wet, she’ll be hard to beat.

“She’s in the Magic Millions Guineas and will qualify if she wins but the Magic Millions is still a long way off so there’s plenty of opportunity to get into it.”