Maher: Draw ideal for favourite Coolangatta

By Glenn Davis

The Magic Millions 2YO Classic barrier draw had little effect on TAB markets with boom filly Coolangatta retaining her place as a short-priced favourite for the $2 million Gold Coast feature on Saturday.

Coolangatta was a $1.70 favourite prior to Tuesday’s barrier draw for the 2YO feature, but is now at $1.85 after drawing barrier 13.

It’s the same draw Queenslanders General Nediym and Our Fiction jumped from in their Magic Millions 2YO Classic wins in 1997 and 1993.

Coolangatta is attempting to give co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace a second Magic Millions Classic following Away Game’s win in 2020.

The daughter of Written Tycoon is unbeaten in two starts after winning the Group 3 Gimcrack at Randwick in October before claiming the Group 3 BJ McLachlan at Doomben on Boxing Day.

“It’s perfect,” said Maher.

“I’m very happy with the draw and she’ll come into 10 if the emergencies don’t get a run.

“I was hoping for somewhere in the middle.”

Maher said Coolangatta has had a trouble-free preparation for her Magic Millions assignment except for one hiccup.

“She pulled a shoe the other morning but that’s all that’s gone wrong,” Maher said.

“I was very happy with her last run and she came through it well.”

Hot favourite Coolangatta has drawn unlucky 13, with a number of others well in the market not much better off. Who are the big winners and losers from this morning's @mmsnippets 2YO Classic barrier draw? 👀 #QLDisRacing 🏇 pic.twitter.com/XDBQF0MBWu

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) January 10, 2022

Maher and Eustace have been long time supporters of the Magic Millions and believe Coolangatta can give them another victory.

“We’ve been coming here for a while now and know what to expect,” he said.

“She’s seen a lot of tracks already for a young horse.

“She was obvious from day one when she started off at Ballarat then went to Sydney and was very dominant winning the Gimcrack.

“She’s got that bit of X-factor about her.”

Maher and jockey James McDonald were thrilled with Coolangatta’s work at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

“She’s ticking over nicely,” McDonald said.

“The firmer the track is the better and so long as it’s a good track she’s the one to beat.”

Maher and Eustace also are hopeful off claiming the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas with Socialist who drew perfectly in barrier one.

Socialist finished second to the John O’Shea-trained I Am Lethal on the Kensington track in Sydney last start after a first-up win on December 1.

I Am Lethal’s chances in the Guineas have slumped after drawing gate 21 while stablemate Bend The Knee drew a horror gate 20.   

The Robert and Luke Price-trained Jamaea drew gate eight and is the new $8 favourite for the 3YO feature.