Despite a growing list of reasons why they cannot win the 2012 Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast this weekend, Randwick trainer John O’Shea still rates his hopeful Hoss Amor as one of the top three chances in the lucrative feature.
A well-bred filly by 1997 Magic Millions Classic winner General Nediym out of Favorite Trick mare With Love, Hoss Amor is out to hand her sire with his third win in the race adding to the victories of fellow General Nediym fillies Regimental Gal (003) and Military Rose (2010).
Hoss Amor is also out to repeat the feat of the Neville Layt-trained Karuta Queen from last year in winning the Wyong – Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Double.
While showing plenty of promise with their quarter-length victory over Hidden Warrior to take out the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) on December 22 in their race debut, Hoss Amor would have to defy history to win again on Saturday.
In the 25-year history of the Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic, the inaugural edition of which was won by Snippets back in 1987, no horse has ever won the race at their second career start.
Adding to Hoss Amor’s woes was their double-digit Magic Millions Classic barrier 11 draw this morning.
If the first three emergencies fail to gain a start, however, Hoss Amor will move a more advantageous gate nine start.
Brenton Avdulla, aboard Hoss Amor for her Wyong win, retains the ride on Saturday and he is confident that with a bit of luck she can get the job done.
“I’m not too worried about her only having the one run and no horse ever doing (it),” Avdulla said.
Avdulla said Hoss Amor had made good progress since her maiden run and that although he didn’t originally strike her as a ‘natural’ two-year-old, getting up to the 1200 metres should see her race competitively.
“When she worked before she had her first start she worked alright,” he said.
“She’s really improved, worked her last week and she’d improved and worked her this morning and she’s come on again.
“She doesn’t seem like one of those natural two-year-old runners.
“She’s got to improve on what she did first start (but) I’m sure the 1200 metres will be perfect for her.”
In the latest Magic Millions Classic 2012 odds at Luxbet, which are led by Sizzling ($3.40) and Driefontein ($3.60), Hoss Amore pays $16.
One thing that does work in Hoss Amor’s favour, according to O’Shea, is their freshness coming into the clash on the back of a nice three week break.
“Hoss Amor is a bomb-proof filly and she doesn’t need a lot of racing,” he said.
“We’ve let the others beat themselves up and we will go there nice and fresh.
“She’s done everything right since she won at Wyong.”
Naming Driefontein and Sizzling who ran the quinella in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on New Year’s Eve as the two obvious dangers, O’Shea said he saw no other real contenders in the capacity MM Classic field this year.
“If we can run past the two from the Queensland race we will be winning,” he said bullishly.
“The rest are kidding, I think.”
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