With the Sydney and Melbourne Spring carnivals now over, attention moves to Queensland where the lead up to the Magic Millions has begun.
Saturday sees the running of some nice races, albeit not the lead ins for the 2yo Classic.
The G3 Grand Prix Stakes (2112m), won last year by Kovalica, hasn’t a large pack of nominations and Chris Waller has two chances to win his sixth edition. Shy Guy ($3.50) and Kirikan ($4.50) will be in the mix here.
Potentially some Magic Millions 3yo contenders will be running in the Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m). Easily the best horse in the ratings is Sires Produce winner Cifrado.
The Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1400m) for the older horses includes a G1 winner in Royal Merchant along with regular visitor Eleven Eleven and last year’s winner Ucalledit.
Perth has a significantly moment in racing history as Damien Oliver will ride in his last ever race in the appropriately named G3 Damien Oliver-Gold Rush 1400m which will end the Ascot card.
Will 3yo filly Super Smink ($4) get a run against the likes of Ayrton ($5) and Ripcord ($6) who will have a big say?
