Wong on right track

“He’s probably thebesthorse Ihavehador atleasthehas themakingsof thebesthorse Ex-Coast trainer likes his chances

Trainer Stephen Jones had the Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner-up in 1996 and is looking to go one better with Baby Wong on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

STEPHEN Jones thinks Baby Wong is the best horse he’s trained and believes the classy colt can deliver on that talent in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Jones is chasing the biggest payday of his training career on the richest day in Queensland racing and is confident he’s got the horse to get the job done.

“He’s probably the best horse I have had or at least he has the makings of the best horse,” said Jones, who is based at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley after previously training on the Gold Coast.

“I still think he is going to be a better three-year-old.

“His breeding says as much and the penny hasn’t dropped with him but he’s a nice horse and I think he is right in this.”

Baby Wong, who is by

Press Statement out of the More Than Ready mare Spice Temple, will be looking to give Jones his first win on Magic Millions day more than two decades after he trained Our Banker to finish runnerup to Winger Charger in the two-year-old feature in 1996.

The former jockey only manages a small team at Scone but will saddle up his youngster against some of the biggest names in Australian racing on the weekend.

“I had two chances to get into the race and others probably have 30 or 40 so it’s nice to have one in the field,” he said. “I have finished second at the Magic Millions before and know what it takes to win.

“It’s a tough race but I think I have the horse that can get the job done.”

Baby Wong heads into Saturday’s feature still a maiden after four starts but hasn’t been far away on every occasion including back-to-back placings in stakes grade.

The colt sealed his spot in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic field when he finished second -up to Alpine Edge in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day.

Baby Wong is a $21 chance with Ladbrokes

Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller had been riding in Victoria over the festive season but is on the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions and will pilot Baby Wong on the weekend.

“I think Nash will suit him,” Jones said. “He was supposed to ride him in a trial the other day but was still in quarantine.

“He chased the ride and has been keeping a close eye on him all the way through.”

The all-important barrier draw will take place on Tuesday morning.