MAGIC MILLIONS NEWS
TRAINER Kelly Schweida and jockey Matt McGillivray are hoping former Victorian Mighty Like’s win at the Gold Coast is an omen for the future but for different reasons.
Schweida will have Shogun Sun in the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on Saturday and probably Cellargirl, although she is also nominated for the fillies and mares race.
McGillivray will ride the Tony Gollan-trained Ef Troop, who is one of the leading contenders for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Mighty Like was having his first run since 10th in the Seymour Cup in October when he won the Open Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
It took the gelding’s first-up record to seven starts for four wins and two seconds.
“I hope it is a good omen for Saturday with Shogun Sun, who is ready to race very well in the Millions,” Schweida said.
“A bit of rain would help but (favourite) Pierata looks a very good horse.”
Unusual circumstances denied Malvern Estate a start in the $250,000 Magic Millions Provincial/Country Cup.
Trainer Desleigh Forster nominated Malvern Estate for Saturday’s race but it was rejected because under the rules he had not started enough times at provincial or country tracks.
Malvern Estate won at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night and Forster believed that should have got him into the Cup field.
“I thought we had a case. I accepted with him at Toowoomba last Sunday and Beaudesert on the Monday,” Forster said.
“I scratched him from Toowoomba but then Beaudesert was washed out. If he had run in either of those he would have been eligible for the Cup.
“The nominations were due on Wednesday so I nominated him but it was rejected because he hadn’t run in enough races. They rejected my argument the washout had cost us a run and he would be running on Friday which should have made him eligible.”