THE Magic Millions picture will start to take shape today with races in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane having a major impact on the 2YO Classic and the Guineas for the three-year-olds on the Gold Coast on January 12.
Assail narrowly heads the market for the Classic at $4 while Sizzling is $3 favourite for the Guineas. Both will be ridden by Craig Williams, who is on a brief holiday having recently completed a riding stint in Japan.
A recent winner of a feature lead-up at Wyong, Assail will be home in his box today, but several challengers to the youngster's mantle will race at Moonee Valley, Canterbury and Doomben this afternoon.
Clevadude is rated an odds-on favourite to win the opening race at Moonee Valley and maintain his unbeaten record.
The son of Bel Esprit created quite an impression when posting a fast time compared with the older horses on a rain-affected track at Cranbourne a fortnight ago.
Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy has signalled that the gelding needs to win to justify the trip north and assure himself a place in the field, determined by prizemoney.
Champagne Cath had been touted as a serious contender after her debut win at Rosehill, but she will miss out on the Gold Coast riches after being turned out for a month by trainer Chris Waller.
The filly was nominal favourite to win at Canterbury, but her withdrawal opens the way for heavily backed juvenile Aussies Love Sport to burst on to the Magic Millions landscape.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Aussies Love Sport opened at $151 but has been steadily backed into $14. TAB Sportsbet reported astute punters claimed $101 and $81 after the initial interest in the newcomer.
As recent as Christmas Eve, a punter had $2000 on Aussies Love Sport at $26 and stable confidence is said to be high. Tommy Berry takes the ride.
Victorian trainer Mark Riley has I'm Too Sexy at Doomben to complete her campaign after winning a lead-up race at Ballarat racing in a clockwise direction.
She runs into Toowoomba youngster Sir Luminar, but Riley could not be happier with the way I'm Too Sexy has adapted to her new environment in Queensland.
She prepared for today's BJ McLachlan Stakes with a win in a barrier trial at the Gold Coast on December 18.
Sizzling will be all the rage with punters, odds-on to win today's Vo Rogue Plate.
In Sydney, the talented three-year-old filly takes on the older horses at Canterbury in preparation for her trip to the Gold Coast.
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