MAGIC MILLIONS DRAW
CHAMPION jockey Glen Boss is among the growing fan base of Swift Witness, who continued her march up betting markets with a sweet result at the Magic Millions 2YO Classic barrier draw.
While She’s All Class drifted from $4.40 to $4.60 with Ladbrokes after coming up with barrier 18 on Tuesday, Swift Witness firmed from $5 to $4.20 to be the new favourite after drawing gate 11.
She will start from eight if the emergencies don’t start.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly brings the same formline as previous Classic winners Houtzen, Sunlight and Exhilarates, having won at the Gold Coast seven days before the big race.
Boss became an instant fan after riding Swift Witness to win the Gold Pearl at the Aquis Park track last Saturday.
Boss had a prior engagement for Fake Love in the 2YO Classic and will relinquish the Swift Witness ride to Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla.
“Swift Witness can win,” Boss said.
“I looked back through her trials and first run. Her first trial I thought you need blinkers, second trial you definitely need blinkers, the Wyong race you definitely need blinkers and then she’s come out with blinkers on and smashed them (last Saturday).
“She ran time and looked very good doing it.
“She handled herself well on the day. Pulled up very good from the run, she’s got a bit of substance.
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see it win and win nicely.”
Swift Witness is owned by a large syndicate which includes Gold Coast Turf Club director Luke Henderson and his brother Andrew.
Ladbrokes’ Gold Coast analyst Tom Hackett said it would be interesting to see what punters did with She’s All Class in the wake of her bad draw.
“The 1200 metre start at the Gold Coast is a tricky one but horses like Houtzen, Sunlight and Exhilarates have all won the race from wide draws in recent years,” Hackett said.
About 20 per cent of Ladbrokes’ hold on the Classic before the barrier draw had been for She’s All Class.
Just 4 per cent had been for Swift Witness.
Boss will need to produce some magic on Fake Love after she came up with gate 20 (she will jump from 15).