Exhilarates setting sights on magical double
EXHILARATES takes the first step to what Godolphin hope will see her become the first horse to complete the Magic Million 2YO Classic-Guineas double when she resumes in the Gosford Guineas today.
Exhilarates was scratched from the Wyong 3&4YO Magic Millions this month, but all is well with the filly, who is rated the $3.90 second pick with Ladbrokes behind Splintex at Gosford today.
The daughter of Snitzel and Blue Diamond winner Samaready was a dual stakes winner during the Melbourne Spring, before running second to subsequent Group 1 winner Loving Gaby. At her latest start, she struck trouble at the start and never figured in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield in October.
“She’s done an outstanding job. She really showed herself to be a filly a bit above the norm,” Godolphin’s Australian manager Vin Cox said.
“There was nothing wrong with her before Wyong. We just decided this is a better race for her and held her back.
“She will run (today) and then go straight into the Guineas.
That will be her first crack at 1400m, but she settles well in her races and we think she will be suited.”
Exhilarates was Godolphin’s first Magic Millions day winner after Cox returned the organisation to the buying list in 2018.
This year, trainer James Cummings has Conceited (a $625,000 purchase in January) vying to defend the 2YO crown after he won at Flemington earlier in the month.
However, the Blue army colours have run a few times on Magic Millions day, having secured wildcards over the past four years, since the introduction of that clause when the day went to $10 million.
Tally won a wildcard entry last year and ran fourth to Tumultuous in the $1m Trophy.
“It’s a carnival we want to be part of, it’s good prizemoney and a lot of fun,” Cox said.
This year, Isaurian has already secured his place via last week’s Falvelon and tomorrow at Eagle Farm, Multaja (Nudgee) and Gaulois (Buffering) will try to earn their spot on $10-million day.
Cox is particularly bullish about Multaja’s chances of winning the Nudgee.