Chris Waller’s co-favourite in early markets on the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast next month, Blondeau, will have his final lead-up as the punters’ pick in the BJ McLachlan Stakes 2019 in Brisbane on Saturday.

Every Rose is one of the best fancied Magic Millions hopefuls in the 2019 BJ McLachlan Stakes on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
The final official Magic Millions lead-up races into the January 11 $10 million race day on the Gold Coast take place at Eagle Farm this weekend including the two-year-olds facing off in the $250,000 Group 3 Magic Millions B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m).
The set weights sprint attracted just 10 final acceptances this Queensland Summer Racing Carnival with the latest BJ McLachlan Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au firmly led by the untapped Blondeau ($2.70).
The firming top fancy is drawn out wide in barrier nine but that hasn’t deterred the punters coming for the I Am Invincible colt to break his maiden status at his second career start.
On debut Blondeau caught the eye running a close second behind the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Aim in a two-year-olds maiden at set weights at Rosehill on December 11.
The form of that race was subsequently franked by undefeated Star Witness colt Aim who won again at Randwick in a handicap clash last Saturday to shoot to the top of the all-in 2020 Magic Millions 2YO Classic odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Tipped to add further merit to that form-line this Saturday, Blondeau has also now been tightened into $6 co-favouritism with Aim in pre-field Magic Millions Classic betting.
Waller chases his first B.J. McLachlan Stakes win, while Blondeua’s jockey Glen Boss has ridden two winners in the past 20 years with Shovoff (2000) and subsequent champion sire Snitzel (2004).
Blondeau did his best work in the closing stages first-up and looks set to appreciate the same 1200m distance fitter for that debut run.
Occupying the second line of BJ McLachlan Stakes betting at $3.40 is the Mark Newham-trained filly Every Rose drawn well in barrier three for jockey Joshua Parr.
Newnham, who also saddles-up his Wyong Magic Millions Stakes winner Diamond Thunder up against Alligator Blood in Saturday’s Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate, has enjoyed a terrific season.
So too has the stable’s Choisir filly Every Rose who won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on debut in early October.
The chestnut then caught the eye fresh on December 12 when runner-up to Farnan only a length off the winner in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m).
She gets the chance to go one better on Saturday and return to winning form in the Group 3 race from the favourable gate.
One of the last-start winners in the mix looking for another summer success is the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained Euphoric Summer ($7.50) in gate six with Damien Oliver in the saddle.
The Not A Single Doubt filly improved on a second to Tanker in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in October to narrowly defeat Rahtlin (2nd) and Amish Boy (3rd) on November 23 in $250,000 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m) at Ballarat.
Third in that Magic Millions event, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Star Witness colt Amish Boy is also accepted for a rematch in the BJ McLachlan Stakes currently paying $8 for the win.
Click here for the latest B.J. McLachlan Stakes 2019 odds on the Magic Millions Classic lead-up, with the field and barriers listed below.
2019 BJ McLachlan Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
# | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 322 | WAY BEYOND | Stuart Kendrick | Brad Stewart | 7 | 57kg |
2 | 3 | AMISH BOY | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Ms Linda Meech | 8 | 57kg |
3 | 1 | THUNDER MANIA | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Ron Stewart | 10 | 57kg |
4 | 2 | BLONDEAU | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 9 | 57kg |
5 | 3 | KING’S LEGACY | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 57kg |
6 | 6 | KING AND KING | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Mark Du Plessis | 5 | 57kg |
7 | 21 | EUPHORIC SUMMER | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Damien Oliver | 6 | 55kg |
8 | 1×2 | EVERY ROSE | Mark Newnham | Joshua Parr | 3 | 55kg |
9 | 1 | RED STILETTO | David Vandyke | Robbie Fradd | 2 | 55kg |
10 | 1 | BRIBERY | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Luke Currie | 1 | 55kg |