$1.6m colt Bodyguard commands early Magic Millions 2YO Classic favouritism

Peter and Paul Snowden will look to replicate what they did in the same colours with Capitalist in 2016 by winning next month’s $3m juvenile feature with Bodyguard.

Bodyguard, ridden by Craig Williams, wins the Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington on October 7. The I Am Invincible colt, a $1.6 million yearling purchase, is the early equal favourite for the $3 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

Southern raiders are expected to get their hands on the first $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic, with bookmakers installing unbeaten colts Bodyguard and Storm Boy as joint favourites.

Leading Queensland trainer Tony Gollan secured the prize earlier this year with Skirt The Law, however southern horses make up the top 10 in the market, released by TAB on Monday morning.

A $1.6m blue blood, Bodyguard has the chance to justify his eye watering sale price with victory on January 13 for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.

"$1.6 million dollars worth of horse flesh!"

Bodyguard wins the Maribynong Trial Stakes. 💪@[e-mail]/78cHKIQMZ2

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 7, 2023

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Storm Boy bolted in at Rosehill on Saturday and is one of a number of horses high in the market for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Ozzie Kheir and Ciaron Maher are looking to replicate what they did with Coolangatta in 2022 with Spywire, the $8 second favourite after his midweek win at Rosehill last month.

However, he will need to further boost his prizemoney to secure a spot in the race.

"Gliding down the straight like a pelican!"

The Bott-@tomwaterhouse galloper Storm Boy does it easily in the opener at Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/1rBj8Ukr0f

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 2, 2023

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Peter Moody’s Eneeza is rated a $15 chance after her dominant win in the Merson Cooper (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday, with the former Queenslander weighing up whether to go to the Magic Millions or Group 1 Blue Diamond.

Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor is daring to dream with Astapor, who is rated a $26 chance, along with Gollan’s Barbie’s Sister, who is entered to run at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Chris Munce’s trio of Devine Force, Poster Girl and Kahlisee are also rated $26 chances.

She's got the Gb brand 🚀 2YO filly Eneeza (Exceed And Excel) does it the hard way and claims the Listed Merson Cooper S. in style for @moodyracingpgm at Caulfield.

A @mmsnippets GC purchase for @kiaorastud and @TFI_Racehorses, she was born, bred and raised on the Silverdale… pic.twitter.com/bkCjcXAk6A

— Silverdale Farm (@silverdale_farm) December 2, 2023

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In the 3YO Guineas, which was also bumped to $3m next year, the Waterhouse and Bott-trained Royal Tribute is an $8 favourite.

While she was a beaten odds-on favourite in the Listed Mode Plate at Doomben on Saturday, Abounding ($15) is high in the market along with the Rex Lipp-trained Cifrado, who was last seen running second-last in the Keith Noud last month.

The new Gold Coast turf track will be raced on for the first time on Saturday as officials prepare to host back-to-back metropolitan meetings in January.

Originally published as $1.6m colt Bodyguard commands early Magic Millions 2YO Classic favouritism