Weir after more Magic Millions success
Two Group One winners will spearhead trainer Darren Weir’s assault on this year’s Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast.
Weir played a starring role at last year’s rich meeting with Lucky Hussler winning the Magic Millions Cup and Mahuta taking out the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Lucky Hussler will be back to defend the $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) on Saturday and is one of four horses Victoria’s premier trainer is preparing to send north.
Fellow Group One winner Stratum Star will run in the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (2200m) while in-form Kenjorwood will join Lucky Hussler in the Cup and Hijack Hussy heads to the fillies and mares race.
Lucky Hussler hasn’t raced since winning the Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on November 12, the same nine-week break he had between the spring carnival and last year’s Magic Millions Cup.
“He’s good. He had a gallop on Saturday morning and he’ll have a trial at Terang on Tuesday and then he’s ready to go,” Weir said.
“He’s been aimed at this race and he’s got to have a good solid hit-out on Tuesday.”
Stratum Star won the Group One Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) in Perth on December 3 and steps to 2200m for the first time which is Weir’s only query.
He considered giving the horse a break to target the Australian Cup after his Perth win but decided to press on to the Gold Coast.
Stratum Star galloped between races at Warrnambool on Sunday and Weir is hoping he can draw well at the Gold Coast.
Stratum Star has won over 2000m.
“The 2200 metres would be a little concern,” Weir said.
“The way he won in Perth, I would have thought 2000 metres would be right up his alley because he was strong through the line. The 2200 would be a little query but the barrier is going to be a key to him. If he gets a good barrier, the 2200 won’t be a problem.”
Damian Lane rides Stratum Star, Kenjorwood and Hijack Hussy while Brad Rawiller is on Lucky Hussler.
Kenjorwood will be dropping back to 1400m after winning his past two starts in a 1600m open handicap at Flemington and the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield.
“He would be that tough having those hard races under his belt. And he’s not going to get to run in too many $1 million races,” Weir said.
Hijack Hussy is coming off a last-start win at Flemington.