Adrian Bott may have prepared a Magic Millions favourite before, but this year Tulloch Lodge heads into the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) with a quartet of runners priced as outsiders.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott operation will saddle up Knightsbridge, along with fillies Shiki, Lumbini and By Choice, in the $3 million Gold Coast feature.
Bott, who guided Storm Boy to victory in last year’s Classic, believes all four youngsters have earned their spot in the field.
“You can make a good case for each of them going into the run,” Bott said.
“I won’t sort of put a top seed but we’ve probably taken confidence off the horses that have won their most recent runs.”
Shiki is the best-backed of the quartet after her Gold Pearl victory and sits at $12 with Tim Clark to take the ride.
“Shiki, there’s good timing about her win, she looked to do it very well. She looked very sharp, so a lot to like about that,” Bott said.
“Knightsbridge is a horse I’ve always had an opinion of. Things didn’t work out for him in the spring.
“I thought he really came back and stamped his authority there at Randwick (first up). It’s 1000 to 1200 (metres), but I think that’ll suit him.
“Lumbini, I think, could be forgiven for her run there last time.
“She might have been a touch disappointing on face value, but she still ran very well behind the favourite (Warwoven), and her first up win was explosive.
“I thought she’s improved off that run.
“Similarly, By Choice was excellent first up.
“She had no luck behind Shiki there the other day, she was wide and covered ground and just sort of lost her balance around the turn, but she was good late so she can easily bounce back.”
James McDonald, Craig Williams and Jamie Melham will partner Knightsbridge, Lumbini and By Choice respectively, with all three rated between $21 and $26.
Punters can follow market movements through major online bookmakers as the Magic Millions 2yo Classic draws closer.
Warwoven remains the dominant $1.90 favourite, with Zip Lock ($6) and Tornado Valley ($9.50) the only others under double figures.
The post Tulloch Lodge quartet up for Magic Millions Classic challenge first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
