Feature racing heads to Wyong on Wednesday for their Magic Millions meeting and all eyes will be on short-priced favourites Royal Merchant and Spywire for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
Royal Merchant has been freshened and had blinkers applied as the Group 1 winning mare aims to get back in the winner’s circle in the 3 & 4yo Stakes.
Co-trainer David Eustace believes she looks ideally placed to do so, contesting the easiest race she’s faced in some time and the market agrees, posting her as the $1.80 favourite with online betting sites.
“Obviously at the weights with her mark it looks favourable, and she’s got headgear on for the first time which we just felt she was looking for,” Eustace said.
“She hasn’t had a lot of racing since (the Goodwood win), but we’ve been quite happy with her at home.”
Wednesday will be used as a stepping stone to the Gold Coast, with a long-term Magic Millions plan in mind for the four-year-old mare.
“The plan has been the fillies and mares 13 (hundred) for some time… almost certainly she’ll go straight there,” Eustace said.
The stable also have leading Magic Millions 2yo Classic contender Spywire, who was scratched from Eagle Farm on Saturday when as short as $1.10, as the dominant $1.65 favourite in Wednesday’s 2yo feature with Ladbrokes.
A very smart winner on debut at Rosehill, Spywire was installed as one of the favourites for the Gold Coast feature in January at $6 but missed the run in Queensland with a poor bloodwork test, something Eustace assures was minor in nature.
“Ever so slight (issue), line ball, but he’s very very bright, healthy, in good order and his blood’s are spot on. He goes there in great form and absolutely bouncing,” Eustace said.
“He’ll probably just go straight in (to Gold Coast) with a trial.”
The stable are also aiming to send Max Lees Classic winner Erno’s Cube to the Gold Coast, with the filly a chance to run at Randwick this Saturday.
