Icarian Dream may have missed the mark in last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but Ciaron Maher believes she deserves another crack at Gold Coast riches.
The Blue Point filly will contest Saturday night’s $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, returning to the scene of her two-year-old disappointment.
The Guineas is run over 1400 metres, a year after Icarian Dream finished 12th as a $9 chance from a wide draw in the 2YO Classic, and while she again faces a tough assignment, Maher feels she is better placed this time around.
“We were coming to the Gold Coast 2YO (Classic) full of confidence until the barrier draw (when) I think we got 20-something,” Maher said.
“She’s always been a horse with a lot of ability.
“Two starts ago she ran well and it was then we thought, ‘right, we’ll aim up here at this this race’.”
Icarian Dream comes into the Guineas off a strong third placing, finishing two lengths behind Grafterburners, the subsequent The Sunlight winner, in the Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
That performance followed another third placing, after she endured a testing start to her three-year-old campaign, including a 2-1/2-length defeat behind Sheza Alibi in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) on Derby Day.
“She went off and she had a few little growing issues, or soreness issues, and I just feel like her last run and her run prior to that were both full of merit and back to what we originally thought of her,” Maher said.
“I think she’s going very well. She’ll do a piece of work during the week and be right to go.”
Punters can find markets available across major online bookmakers for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas as anticipation builds for Saturday night.
Icarian Dream holds down second favouritism for the Guineas, behind Ninja, who surged into odds-on territory following his commanding victory in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.
Maher also has multiple chances in the $3 million 2YO Classic, having previously won the race with Away Game and Coolangatta, with Tornado Valley and Unit Five prominent hopes.
The post Maher Dreaming of Magic Millions redemption first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
