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Fortunes set to change in MM Guineas

10 January 2019

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By Glenn Davis

The $2 million Magic Millions Guineas has been a graveyard for local three-year-olds in recent times but TAB markets suggest that’s about to change.

Since 2001 when the race was first run, Queensland has won the 1400-metre feature only four times.

The Jason McLachlan-trained Saluter was the last Queensland-trained horse to win the Guineas in 2013 which followed Punch On (2012), Heart Of The Citi (2008) and Gold Edition (2007).

However, this year, Queensland has a strong representation with four of the top seven fancies lining up.

Leading trainer Tony Gollan is super confident about the chances of Outback Barbie, the ruling $2.60 favourite while Chris Munce will saddle up Boomsara, the $4.80 second favourite.

Tony Edmonds also is hopeful Granny Red Shoes ($15) can bounce back after dislodging her rider Jackson Murphy in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben last month.

Gollan will be double handed in the Magic Millions Guineas with Vo Rogue placegetter Light Up The Room set to take on her more fancied stablemate.

Gollan is hopeful Outback Barbie can end Queensland’s horror run in the Guineas but has warned Light Up The Room could cause an upset.

“Outback Barbie had to go back from a bad barrier in the Vo Rogue but she’ll race a lot closer this time from a better draw,” Gollan said.

“Light Up The Room has been racing very well and she’s not without a chance either and will be running on.”

Outback Barbie will also need to defy the poor run of favourites in the Magic Millions Guineas with only three successful favorites from 18 starters.

Pierata was the last successful favourite in 2018 after Mahuta (2016) and Ha Ha in 2002.

Meanwhile Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa is warming to Malahide also being in the finish.

Malahide finished seventh in the Vo Rogue Plate behind Boomsara but copped some of the backwash after the Granny Red Shoes incident.

“We were following Granny Red Shoes and lost some momentum when Murphy was dislodged,” Costa said.

“Up until now she’s been a little behind but she’s working a lot more strongly now.

“I’m putting a tongue tie on and visors to help sharpen her up.

“She comes into barrier three with the scratching of Ljungberg and she’ll be just outside Outback Barbie.”

Costa has emerged as one of the rising young stars in Queensland’s training ranks since moving from Sydney two years ago.

Racing Queensland webnews   January 10