Magnufighter shoots for MM Trophy start
TRAINER Gary Duncan says the Cairns-owned Magnufighter is cherry ripe ahead of this afternoon’s 2200m hitout at Doomben before entering the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy next month.
The former Atherton-based trainer has his four-year-old well placed in the $105,000 Magic Millions Shoot Out today, carrying just 54kg, before looking towards the Gold Coast on January 12.
The bay scored for the first time over 2000m earlier this month at Doomben in the Singapore Turf Club Trophy and Duncan says everything has gone to plan since.
“The way he ran the other day, they were not going to beat him if the race was 200m longer,” Duncan said.
“He has drawn well, he should get a good run and should be hard to beat this time in. The weight certainly helps this time.”
Magnufighter was on the fourth line of betting yesterday, with Kiwia, Estikhraaj and Tumultuous preferred with the punters.
The former Far Northbased horseman says his fouryear-old will need to be competitive this afternoon to show he is up to the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy next month.
“The horse is going well, it is a stronger race with a couple of Sydney and Melbourne horses there but he has to race them if he is going to go to the Magic Millions race,” Duncan said.
“I do not think he will be disappointed this Saturday, I think he will run good.”
Meanwhile, fellow Cairnsowned horse Monsieur Gustave is set for a second tilt at The $150,000 Buffering Plate at Doomben this afternoon.
The six-year-old finished back in the field first-up in the George Moore Stakes earlier this month but brought up career win eight at the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago.
“His last win at Caloundra was very tough under a big weight and on a heavy track,” trainer Darryl Hansen said.
“Going to 1350 metres in the The Buffering Plate won’t be a drama and he’s pretty close to his best-ever form.”
Monsieur Gustave is aiming for the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast next month.
HE HAS DRAWN WELL, HE SHOULD GET A GOOD RUN AND SHOULD BE HARD TO BEAT. TRAINER GARY DUNCAN