A way to make Millions

WITH the top seeds cooling their heels this weekend, the fringe contenders for next month’s $2Million Magic Millions 2YO Classic have the chance to make an impression on the market at Randwick or Doomben’s B.J. McLachlan Stakes on Saturday.

There have been three horses in the past eight years complete the McLachlan Magic Millions double, the most recent being Unencumbered in 2013-14.

Chris Waller’s Orcein ($13) is the most highly rated McLachlan runner in Millions betting. He was also an acceptor for Randwick, but was withdrawn yesterday to head north, where Michael Cahill has been booked for the ride.

Orcein is a son of Snitzel who is yet to take a win, but has been placed in two Rosehill starts to date.

Witherspoon, a beaten favourite in both starts to date, is the other McLachlan runner fancied to make an impression in the Millions. Both Witherspoon and Orcein need to win or run second at the very least to ensure themselves a start at the Gold Coast.

The cut off for the twoyear-old Classic looks like being at least $40,200 – the money earned for a Saturday metropolitan win in southeast Queensland.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Legislation is safely inside the cut off and will stay at home to run at Randwick out of barrier three after coming up with gate 13 in the McLachlan. Toby Edmonds’ Sizzling Ace is another acceptor for both races.

All of the runners in Saturday’s B.J. McLachlan Stakes are eligible for the Magic Millions except Hopes Eternal and Mischievousmarilyn.

At Randwick, every runner bar Godolphin’s Marmaris is entitled to run on the Gold Coast a fortnight later if they qualify.

The McLachlan provides the first real test of the Ef Troop formline, with Crockett an $8 chance in the race after finishing second to Ef Troop last start, 5.3 lengths adrift.

The McLachlan winner is assured of a Millions start and the winning prize of $53,375 at Randwick will also be enough to secure a berth.