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Gai Waterhouse will face strong opposition when she goes after the rich Magic Millions double at Wyong on Thursday.
Waterhouse may be overseas on holidays but she has set her sights on adding to the excellent record her runners have compiled in the annual Magic Millions races at Wyong since the meeting became the key NSW prep for the MM Gold Coast carnival in January.
She has won the $200,000 MM Wyong 2YO Classic three times since it was introduced in 2003 with Pulsator, She's Meaner and Bright Expectations and she also won the inaugural $100,000 MM Wyong 3YO Stakes with Ulladulla in 2006.
Her entries for the Wyong double this year are the impressive Rosehill debut winner Certitude in the 2YO Classic (1100m) and her top class filly Driefontein in the 3YO Stakes (1200m).
The two-year-old event is set to draw a capacity field after 23 entries were received including other metropolitan winners and placegetters Assail, Calcatta, Regimental Pride, Madame Fly, Crazyonyou, Trent's Quest, Fine Diamond and Gracious Prospect.
The interstate entries are led by Moonee Valley debut winner Calcatta from the Robert Smerdon stable in Melbourne and the David Hayes stablemates Fine Diamond and Gracious Prospect.
The Clarry Conners-trained Assail followed up his smart Warwick Farm win at his first start with an impressive barrier trial win over 800m at the same course on Friday.
Conners has Peter Robl on standby to ride Assail at Wyong but also has the option of waiting for the Canterbury meeting on December 29 as his final lead-up to thje $2 million MM 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on January 12.
Driefontein is the star nomination for the Magic Millions 3YO Stakes. The winner of last season's MM Classic at the Gold Coast has been in sparkling trial form with an easy win in her heat at Randwick last week.
Other entries include recent Sydney winners and placegetters Delagos, Harada Bay, Straturbo and Slippery Moss, last season's Adelaide winner Fuming and the impressive country winner Rebel Dancer.