Miss Wonderland impresses at Flemington as Gold Coast beckons

MISS Wonderland did nothing to hurt its Magic Millions 3YO chances when winning the ISCA 3YO Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was on trial for the Magic Millions 3YO with connections and punters expecting the daughter of Snitzel to get home first.

Punters backed the filly into $1.40 with Bet365.com, but it wasn’t the easiest of times for punters who took the shorts as Miss Wonderland faced the breeze down the long straight.

Linda Meech scored the pick-up ride after Luke Nolen fell off Regal Embrace after the winning post in the first race of the day, and she made sure it was planted on the speed.

Despite running into a strong wind, the three-year-old filly picked up well for Meech who scored her 14th career win at Flemington.

“Poor old Luke – he feel off his horse after the post before and he’s laying up in bed,” Meech said.

“She did a great job, she’s very tough.

“That headwind is very strong. I would have loved to get her to come back just another half-length or length, but she didn’t want to and I want to keep her happy and we got the chocolates.”

Wylie Dalziel of Roy Higgins Racing is among the ownership of the filly which cost $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and he might give it another run before the January feature.

“We’ll just assess the prize money to get her into the race,” Dalziel said. “There’s a race at Canterbury on the 31st (December). She is nominated for the Wyong race as well, but I think the 31st will be the go at Canterbury.

“If she wins that, she’s got a ticket in and she’ll be spot on for that.”

Dalziel owns in part with former trainer Peter Moody and after some trying times, Dalziel is happy to let their horses do the talking.

“It’s good for all the owners to get on board and great for all this to come to fruition in what was a really tough year last year,” Dalziel said.

“Buying 22 (horses) with Peter Moody was tough, but the results are really coming for us now.

“She’s the first one we bought out of the Magic Millions that year. She cost us $200,000 – it’s the most expensive horse I’ve ever bought.

“I really put everything on the line, I said to Peter ‘I just think she’s quality.'”

Dalziel knew he had a top line horse on his hands at an early age and he was believes the three-year-old just needed some time to mature.

“When she trialled she looked the goods, just had to give her time,” he said. “We’re in the right hands, it’s exciting.”

Miss Wonderland is now $21 at Sportsbet to win the Magic Millions 3YO which is headed by Winning Rupert which continued its unbeaten run at Doomben on Saturday.

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