Bjorn Baker has turned to the blinkers to help O’Ole become the first horse to complete the Magic Millions double of the two-year-old Classic and Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Jockey Jason Collett opted to stick with the classy daughter of Ole Kirk over Saxobushi, which he won on during a four-timer at Eagle Farm last month, and thinks the gear change will give her the edge she needs.
“She has been looking for the 1400m and Bjorn [Baker] has put the blinkers on her, just to sharpen her up,” Collett said.
“I think it will allow her to be a bit closer, which will be an advantage on favourite [Ninja] which is probably going to be back from the outside draw [of 17].”
“I would have liked to draw a little closer myself [on O’Ole], but I feel she is going to be better at the 1400m because the first two runs this prep, she has got out of her comfort zone.”
While several horses have won multiple Magic Millions races, the glamour double of the Classic-Guineas has never been completed.
O’Ole hasn’t won since the two-year-old Classic last year and started her road back to the Gold Coast with a fourth in the Wyong Magic Millions three and four-year-old and then was fourth behind Ninja in the Vo Rogue Stakes last time out.
“She just got shut out at Wyong when she was going well, and it was more like a trial and then last time, she was a little lost,” Collett said.
“I think the blinkers will really help her, but she needs to lift to beat the favourite because he flew past us [in the Vo Rogue].”
“I think she has room to improve.”
Guineas favourite Ninja appears the one to beat, even after drawing gate 17, he was still $1.85 despite the poor draw.
O’Ole has been steady at $13 on the same line as the Kris Lees-trained Damien, who has the blinkers off after failing to fire in the Vo Rogue, where he finished fifth.
“I think up to this trip, he doesn’t need them [the blinkers] and he has drawn well,” Lees said. “He has the right form this prep and I think if he runs up to that, he’s a definite chance.”
Damien split Sunlight winner Grafterburners and Ninja in a blanket finish to the Winning Rupert Stakes before midfield efforts at his next two.
Lees also has Saxobushi coming off his win at Eagle Farm.
“He is QTIS horse, so done all his racing up in Queensland,” Lees said. “It was a good win last time but this is a big jump in class, and I’m worried it might be coming a bit quick for him.”
