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Barrier draws crucial for Magic Millions hopes

7 January 2019

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By Glenn Davis

The time for dreaming is all but over with the grand finals of both the Magic Millions Classic and Magic Millions Guineas set to be decided at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The only dream remaining for most is a favourable barrier draw which takes place at the Gold Coast on Tuesday for the two rich features.

Queensland will go into the $2 million Magic Millions Classic as underdogs with central Queensland flyer Better Reflection our best hope in current TAB markets.

Better Reflection has settled in well at the Gold Coast and is currently a $15 chance behind $5 favourite Unite And Conquer from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.

Waterhouse is chasing her fifth Magic Millions Classic win with Unite And Conquer and stablemate Czarson.

Her last win was with Driefontein (2012) which followed Dance Hero (2004), Excellerator (2001) and Assertive Lad (2000).

Unite And Conquer is the top money earner with $184,750 while Czarson has earned a place with almost $75,000 in stakes money.

Better Reflection was a $20,000 bargain buy for central Queensland trainer John Wiggington, a one-time motor mechanic and roadhouse owner.

He once quit racing and turned his hand to mowing lawns before eventually returning to the game he loves.

Queensland has a good record in the Magic Millions Classic with five wins from Phelan Ready (2009), Military Rose (2010), Real Surreal (2013), Le Chef (2015) and Houtzen (2017) in the last 10 years.

Unlike the Magic Millions Classic, Queensland is favoured to win the Guineas with the Tony Gollan-trained Outback Barbie and Chris Munce’s Boomsara heading the markets.

Outback Barbie won the Listed Mode Plate and was runner-up to stablemate Zoustyle in the Listed Gold Edition Plate before a last start third to Boomsara in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben last month.

Outback Barbie is a solid $2.80 favourite with Boomsara at $4.00 with the closest interstate raider, the Team Hawkes-trained Kapajack and Bondi from the Team Snowden stable on the third line of betting at $11.00.

It’s also a massive week for Magic Millions yearling sales which kicks off its massive six-day sale on Wednesday.

More than 1100 yearlings are set to go under the hammer with I Am Invincible the most catalogued sire with 61 yearlings ahead of Written Tycoon with 53, Zoustar 51, Snitzel 46 and Sebring 42.

Racing Queensland webnews   January 7