We roll on with Betsy’s Road to the Millions, and last Saturday’s meeting at Eagle Farm gave us a clear look at a couple of horses who have well and truly announced themselves as major players for the big dance.
Overall, the meeting itself was a touch on the plain side, but it was lifted by two performances that mattered. The only downside for punters? Both winners immediately smashed their way to the top of the markets for their respective Magic Millions features.
Right now, we’re staring at even-money quotes for both the 2YO Classic and the 3YO Guineas – and that feels skinny this far out, before barriers are drawn and before we see full, pressure-cooker fields on grand final day. Talent, yes. Betting propositions at this stage? Much harder sell.
Warwoven: ticks every box
It’s a shame we only had a six-horse field, and the late scratching of one of the main hopes certainly took a bit of gloss off the contest. But you can only beat what’s in front of you, and Warwoven did exactly that – and more.
Everyone wanted to see him back up what he showed on debut, and he couldn’t have been more professional. He settled, travelled, quickened when asked and put the race to bed without any fuss. No tricks, no panic, just a colt doing everything right.
There’s still plenty to learn about him when he’s under genuine pressure, but on what we’ve seen so far, he looks every inch a Magic Millions colt. Bring it on.
Warwoven is currently $2 to win the 2yo Magic Millions Classic with bet365
Ninja: a win that makes you sit up
If Warwoven was all class and control, Ninja was pure theatre.
Slow away and settling third last in a genuinely big field, things didn’t exactly fall into place early. But when Tommy Berry asked him to improve around the corner, the response was immediate – and brutal.
This was one of the more eye-catching wins you’ll see in Queensland this season. He picked them up in a matter of strides, and within 100 metres the race was effectively over. He still won by nearly five lengths, with Berry easing him down late and glancing over his shoulder, almost in disbelief at how quickly it had unfolded.
If he reproduces that on the big day, it may take bad luck rather than a better horse to beat him.
Onward to the Millions
Attention now turns to the week ahead and Day 1 of the Magic Millions Carnival, headlined by the $3 million Sunlight, alongside a deep, competitive card that promises plenty of clues – and likely a few more market overreactions.
The Road to the Millions is officially heating up. The talent is emerging. Now comes the tricky part: working out what’s hype, what’s substance, and where the real betting value lies as we edge closer to one of racing’s great weeks.
Stay tuned.
