Clear favourite’s already proven to be a bargain buy
AS millions of dollars changed hands on the Gold Coast yesterday, it’s comforting to know that one of the most exciting horses racing at Saturday’s Magic Millions meeting is also one of the cheapest.
Bloodstock agent Neil Jenkinson, who works closely with leading trainer Matt Dunn, plucked Care To Think out of the 2015 Magic Millions National (June) Sale for a meagre $16,000.
“He had great presence about him. He wasn’t jaw-droppingly beautiful, but ... he had great balance,” Jenkinson said.
“I thought I would have to pay 30 or 40 grand for him, thinking that would be cheap, never thinking I would get him for $16,000.”
The son of So You Think, who stood for $66,000 the year Care To Think was conceived, has already won $240,000.
He stands to win another $600,000 if he wins the Magic Millions Cup on Saturday and given he is being spoken of as a Stradbroke horse in the winter, what he is capable of winning is likely to prove his purchase price a pittance.
Standing front and centre of the Care To Think fan club is a big contingent of excitable owners, who are sure to rock the Gold Coast Turf Club if Jeff Lloyd can navigate a winning path on the four-year-old come Saturday.
“I get a massive kick out of seeing the owners enjoy themselves,” Jenkinson said.
“There’s one syndicate of 10 owners that own 10 per cent – one per cent shareholders each. They get on the drink and it’s like they’ve won the Lotto every time he wins.”
Care To Think burst into Magic Millions contention with a barely believable win late last month at Doomben, where he overcame a severe traffic jam to win running away.
He needs to conjure some more magic on Saturday after the barrier gods delivered him 19 of 19 yesterday (he will jump from 16 after scratchings).
Despite this, bookmakers still have him as clear favourite to win the $1 million feature, ahead of $2 million earner Lucky Hussler, Villiers winner Crack Me Up and talented Sydneysider Arbeitsam.
“He can still win. He’s just going to need that bit of luck,” Jenkinson said.
“What he’s got is a devastating turn of foot. He just quickens so easy.”
I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 30 OR 40 GRAND FOR HIM, THINKING THAT WOULD BE CHEAP BLOODSTOCK AGENT NEIL JENKINSON ON CARE TO THINK