Perfect Mission “Cherry Ripe” ahead of Magic Millions 2YO Classic
Michael Costa tells HorseBetting that his sole runner in Saturday’s $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic is “cherry ripe”.
Perfect Mission heads into the Gold Coast feature race on the back of running second in the Aquis Gold Pearl (1100m) on the 8th of January, finishing three quarters of a length behind Miss Hellfire.
The filly by The Mission was a dominant three-length winner at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day, breaking her maiden in style against subsequent winner, Wild Botanica.
Despite the impressive win, Costa said she didn’t come through that run all that well after being galloped on during the run, forcing her to send her to the paddock in between runs.
“After her last win at the gold coast she got galloped on and we had to send her to the paddock,” Costa said.
“She had about six days in the paddock, so she was very much under-done (in the Gold Pearl).”
Miss Hellfire provided HELLBENT with his first winner yesterday! 💪💪💪💪@yarramanpark pic.twitter.com/Oz8zlHeOlU
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) January 9, 2022
Headed into Saturday’s feature race at the 2022 Magic Millions Day, Costa insists that she has would be the winner if it was judged on how horses feel, which fills him with confidence.
“If they run the race on how horses feel, she’d be the winner now,” he said.
“She’s just pulled up super from that run.
“She loomed as the winner and just blew out, but the way she’s pulled up, she’s just jumping out of her skin.
“She’s going to go to the races as good as she can be, whether that’s good enough, we’ll have to see on the day, but she’s cherry ripe.
Having run second in three of her four starts with Andrew Mallyon aboard, the Gold Coast trainer is giving the hoop a chance to break his maiden aboard the filly on Saturday.
After drawing a touch awkwardly in barrier 14, the trainer is hopeful that a strong tempo should allow Mallyon to slot in behind the short-priced favourite, Coolangatta, who has drawn alongside him in gate 13.
Hot favourite Coolangatta has drawn unlucky 13, with a number of others well in the market not much better off. Who are the big winners and losers from this morning's @mmsnippets 2YO Classic barrier draw? 👀 #QLDisRacing 🏇 pic.twitter.com/XDBQF0MBWu
— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) January 10, 2022
“It is what it is,” he said.
“I guess you’re next to the fav, and maybe the third fav as well, so they’ll sort of hunt somewhere and we’ll be in somewhat of a neutral position.
“One thing’s to be sure, there will be pace on, so we’ve just got to wait to see how it unfolds; you never know if it’s going to be good or bad.”
Perfect Mission is likely to be Costa’s only runner on Saturday, however Axe could take his place in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m).
Coming off wins on Saturday, both Sir Rocket and The Ritz do hold nominations for the Magic Millions Cup, but the possibility of gaining a start in the final field looks slim.
Perfect Mission is a $17 chance in the $2 million feature, with bookmakers winding her in from $21 after the barrier draw was conducted.
Coolangatta has drifted slightly, touching $2 before returning to $1.95 with online bookmakers.