A Magic Millions 2YO Classic tilt is on the cards for Gallo Nero after the colt put himself right in contention for the feature juvenile race at the Gold Coast with a victory at Randwick.
Stepping out for his second career start after finishing fourth on debut at Rosehill at the end of last month, Gallo Nero was sent out a $5 chance in Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1100m) and took an inside run in the home straight under jockey Tyler Schiller before going on to defeat the eye-catching Apocalyptic ($6.50) by a long neck.
The $2.40 betting agencies favourite Memo, who had also been the Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite before Saturday’s race, had to cover some ground three-wide and finished another 1-1-/4-lengths away third.
Gallo Nero’s co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 11 was the plan for the colt so long as he comes through Saturday’s race well.
“That was the plan,” Hawkes said.
“The plan was to win today and then head to the Gold Coast.
“Of course we’ve got to see how he pulls up the next 24 to 48 hours.
“If he doesn’t get to the Magic Millions he’s going to be a really nice colt in the autumn.”
Hawkes was impressed by the way Gallo Nero, a colt by Wootton Bassett, was able to execute his race on Saturday after racing keenly outside the lead on debut.
“That was a very good win,” Hawkes said.
“I think he should have won first-up, he just got really keen.
“He only got beaten a length and did everything wrong.
“We gave him an easy trial on Monday and just tried to get him to relax. And probably the key was taking a sit today, where he actually did relax.”
Hawkes said the part he liked the most about Gallo Nero’s performance was that he was able to take a run between runners on the inside and wanted to find the line.
“He’s still learning and he’s a really nice colt in the making,” Hawkes said.
Schiller was also impressed by the win of Gallo Nero and believes the colt probably still switched off a bit late in the race after hitting the front.
“Hopefully the Hawkes team can get him to the Magic Millions in one piece,” Schiller said.
“And bring it on.”
Making her debut in Saturday’s race, the Michael Freedman-trained filly Apocalyptic appeared a luckless runner after finding traffic at a crucial stage in the home straight before charging late to finish second.
While Freedman said it was “frustrating” to finish second, he believes the filly has shown she has plenty of talent and the trainer is now likely to turn attention towards the autumn with the daughter of Extreme Choice.
“I think on what we saw today and what fillies we’ve seen so far, she’s going to be right in the mix,” Freedman said.