Eagle Farm horseman Les Ross is looking forward to a low key summer campaign with his in-form filly River Racer who races in the Mode Plate this weekend ahead of next month’s Magic Millions 3YO Guineas 2017.
Robbie Fradd rides 2017 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas-bound filly River Racer at Eagle Farm on Saturday in the Mode Plate. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The Leslie Ung-owned three-year-old daughter of Hidden Dragon has had eight starts to date and only broke her maiden status in late July with a Doomben win over 1200m.
First-up she raced over 1000m at Eagle Farm Racecourse and crossed a brave second to the Tony Gollan-trained Tiyatrolani on November 19.
She returns to her home track on Saturday stepping up in grade for the rescheduled $100,000 Listed Mode Plate (1200m) that was originally set to run last weekend on George Moore Stakes Day.
Tiyatrolani in her ideal barrier draw is early $5.50 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au to take out the Mode Plate, while the ultra-consistent River Racer is at $7 to turn the tables second-up.
She and jockey Robbie Fradd have a wider alley to overcome drawn in 14 but coming into 12 with the early race scratchings.
It will be her third start at Eagle Farm, her other run at the course also producing a second back in July.
All going to plan and Ross hopes to have River Racer in peak form for a run in the lucrative $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
“She has run some good races against smart horses without much luck. I am happy to just take things along slowly and have her spot-on for Millions day,” he told AAP.
“You don’t win Millions races in December.”
He had his daughter of Sequalo Frequendly, also owned by Ung, in the 2015 Magic Millions 2YO Classic as a $12 shot, but she only managed to cross 12th to that year’s winner Le Chef.
After Saturday’s Mode Plate Ross plans to run River Racer next-up in the $100,000 Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Doomben on December 17 followed by the $200,000 Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) back at Eagle Farm on New Year’s Eve.
“She was a bit above herself when she was second first-up at Eagle Farm but the Millions is our grand final,” he said.
Pre-field Magic Millions 3YO Guineas betting at Ladbrokes.com.au is led by Bjorn Baker’s Group 2 Champagne Classic winning colt Winning Rupert ($3.40) and the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Flight Stakes – Thousand Guineas double winning filly Global Glamour ($3.80).
River Racer can be found further down the all-in Magic Millions 3YO Guineas odds at a current quote of $41.
To check out the full odds on offer for the Mode Plate on Saturday as well as futures markets for the Magic Millions Races 2017 head to Ladbrokes.com.au now!
