Successful Sydney trainer Clarry Conners will have his fingers crossed at Warwick Farm on Saturday as he hopes to get two from his stables into the winners stall and then onto the 2012 Magic Millions Race Day at the Gold Coast seven days later.
Conners will be represented in the opening two Warwick Farm races tomorrow, staring with his up and coming two-year-old Dear Demi in the $70,000 Warwick Farm 100 Club Plate (1000m).
One of only four juveniles engaged in the sprint with former race experience, Dehere filly Dear Demi remains a maiden having finished fourth and third respectively in her two career starts to date.
On debut back in October at Randwick she ran a respectable fourth to Hussousa in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).
She then resumed as one of the best-backed two-year-olds in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) on December 22, but despite the hype and her inside draw she could only manage to finish on and three quarter lengths away third to Hoss Amor.
With $23,000 in prize money Dear Demi needs to win her Warwick Farm assignment, for which she wears blinkers for the first time, and secure the $42,000 first prize to move up the ballot for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast Saturday week.
Currently 22nd on the Magic Millions Classic order of entry Dear Demi is rated a $21 chance in the latest 2012 Magic Millions Classic odds at Luxbet to hand Conners with his second MM Classic winner following the success of Mirror Mirror back in 2006.
In the markets for Warwick Farm Race 1 on Saturday, she is the $4.60 second elect trailing only the firming $2 favourite at Luxbet Raceway.
Raceway is a nicely-bred More Than Ready colt from the stables of Gai Waterhouse who also prepares this year’s Magic Millions Classic favourite Driefontein ($3.50 Luxbet).
While confident he has a smart filly on his hands, Conners only concern is the unsuitably short distance tomorrow.
“It is possibly a bit short for her but I’ve put the blinkers on to fire her up a bit early,” he said of Dear Demi.
“She wants to relax which is nice, being out of a Zabeel mare (Shirley) is probably why, but I just want her to be able to get going herself without the jockey having to force her to.
“I don’t usually like blinkers with young horses but she looks around a bit and I think it will switch her on a bit more.
“I think she’s a pretty classy filly but the distance (1000 metres) is probably a bit short for her and even the Magic Millions (Classic) might even be a bit short.
“But you’ve got no chance if you’re not in the race.
“I think she’ll be a lovely filly next preparation over 1400 metres and 1600 metres.”
Conners other Magic Millions hopeful racing at the Farm this weekend is last-start Hawkesbury winner Bright Heart, the Dane Shadow filly looking for a win in the $70,000 Vili’s Bakery Handicap (1400m) at 1:50pm (NSW time).
Bright Heart features in the nominations for the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Classic (1400m) this year, currently sitting 37th on the order of entry with $40,620 of qualified earnings.
Drawn in barrier six with apprentice hoop Sam Clipperton engaged for the ride, Bright Heart gets the chance to secure another $42,000 in prize money with a Vili’s Bakery Handicap win.
If successful she could rise as high as 22nd on the MM Classic order of entry with the chance to secure a spot in the final field if a number of other gallopers higher in the ballot at not accepted for on Monday.
“She’s in the same situation, if she wins tomorrow she’ll go up (to the Gold Coast) too,” Conners said.
“It looks a lovely race for her tomorrow.
“I think it’s a winnable race against her own age and sex and the distance should suit.”
To get in on the Warwick Farm racing action tomorrow and check out the latest Magic Millions Race Day markets, visit our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet.
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