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Magic Millions Timeform Recap: January 13

3 minute read

Race by race recap of key performers and ones to watch moving forward from Saturday’s Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast.

The lucrative raceday featured capacity fields for the majority of the meeting and a host of winner’s capable of making their presence felt later this season at Group level.

Sunlight Picture: Steve Hart

Race 1: Problem Solver - $250k Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m)

Well placed first up, Problem Solver ran to a Timeform rating of 87.


It’s an interesting race this maiden each year. Understandably, a lot of trainers set their maideners for this race.

Tony Gollan particularly is one who tries. Shesees Everything is a key example running second at 80-1.

In the prior years he’s had a couple, Giuliani in 2016 and Of The Day in 2017 each ran fourth at 40 and 30-1.

Race 2: Zafina - Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m)

Given a peach of a ride by Jason Collett, Zafina ran to a Timeform rating of 82.

That represents the lowest winning figure of the day at the Gold Coast.


It was still enough however for the connections of Zafina to come away with $150,000 prizemoney.

Race 3: I’m A Rippa - Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m)

I’m A Rippa led throughout with the win awarded a Timeform rating of 98.


This wasn’t an overly strong race. I’m a Rippa had simply been placed well by Tony Gollan.

The Love Conquers All gelding won a $30,000 Doomben Class 3 three starts ago with a Timeform rating of 98. He’s run the same figure to win a $1million race on Saturday.

Race 4: Tumultuous - Magic Millions Trophy (2200m)

Tumultuous on Saturday went some of the way to living up to his early potential with his Magic Millions Trophy win assessed at 102.


It was a very smart ride by Brenton Avdulla. He go onto the back of the favourite Sedanzer from the 600m and followed her right through.

The runner up Sedanzer despite a narrow defeat was excellent. She was rising sharply in trip from a mile to 2200m. She only got caught late.

Saturday may represent the end of Sedanzer’s prep now, one which through five runs netted three wins and two placings, one at Group level. Throw in almost $400k in prizemoney and it can be considered nothing but an excellent campaign.

Race 5: Invincibella - Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Sprint (1300m)

Race 4 (Tumultuous) and Race 5 were each glowing endorsements for Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable. Both of Invincibella’s runs this prep in the Sunshine State have been strong.


The latest netted Invincibella a new peak Timeform rating of 107.

107 has her at this stage pegged as a Group 3 level mare.

She’s got five stakes placings to her name and now needs a stakes win to maximise her broodmare value.

Invincibella from here will likely spell and be back in Brisbane for a winter prep. Races like the Dane Ripper and Winter Stakes profile as potential targets.

Eckstein was strong in second. She’s an extremely versatile mare.

Race 6: Care To Think - Magic Millions Cup (1400m)

Six months ago Care To Think ran smart figures winning Highway Handicap at Randwick.

Care To Think Picture: Steve Hart

The So You Think gelding continues to go from strength to strength and looking at his performance on Saturday, we might be talking about him in six months as a Stradbroke hope.


Black Piranha ran second in this race in 2009 before winning the Stradbroke of that year.

Care To Think produced a Timeform rating of 115 on Saturday. Right on the five year winning average of the race.

Race 7: Pierata - Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m)

Pierata enjoyed a perfect run, behind the leaders on the fence. Corey Brown got the necessary split at the 300m and away they went.


$1.2million prizemoney plus a $500,000 bonus for claiming the Summer Series treble, it was a massive day for all involved with the Pierro colt.

He ran to a Timeform rating of 116. With Goodfella and Calculated in the placings, this profiles as an above average Magic Millions Guineas.

Pierata Picture: Steve Hart

Pierata can have a spell now and connections should start looking at the Winter Carnival. The dates for Queensland Guineas and then the Stradbroke Handicap should already be circled in Greg Hickman’s calendar for Pierata.

The last horse to claim the Magic Millions Guineas/Queensland Guineas double was Torio’s Quest in 2011.

Sizzling almost did it in 2013. He ran second in the Magic Millions Guineas behind Saluter then won the Queensland Guineas.

Race 8: Sunlight - Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m)

In an action packed race, Sunlight was lucky to survive getting squeezed for room during the same incident that cost the Jonker any sort of chance.

She recovered well and had the race won 100m from home.


The win netted her a Timeform rating of 113p. That is a shade below the five year average of the race.

Running to 113p clearly has her as the pick of the 2YO fillies we’ve seen this season.

Sunlight Picture: Racing and Sports

The Golden Slipper is her next goal. The Golden Slipper/Magic Millions double has been claimed three times, Dance Hero in 2004, Phelan Ready in 2009 and Capitalist in 2016.

She can add her name to that list. She’d be the first filly to achieve the feat.

Fullazaboot was an eye catcher in second. He’s off for a spell and will be set for a Brisbane winter prep. The Stuart Kendrick-trained colt gives every indication a race like the JJ Atkins is right up his alley. All the better Sepoy’s we’ve seen have been seven furlong/mile types.

Ef Troop simply went too hard out in front. He ran 33.65 seconds for the first 600m. That was always going to take it’s toll late.

Race 9: Viddora - Magic Millions Snippets (1200m)

Viddora was simply too classy for her rivals on Saturay and ran to a Timeform rating of 116.


Trainer Lloyd Kennewell placed her perfectly. She was pitchforked into that race under Set Weights plus Penalties.

After a four start prep across three states, the I Am Invincible mare will likely be spelled. The Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and The Goodwood (1200m) on home soil at Morphettville later this season profile as ideal races for her.

Viddora Picture: Steve Hart

The five-year-old was going to contest the Goodwood last year but was scratched because of a hoof abcess.