Leading trainer Tony Gollan not concerned by 2025 Magic Millions postponement for fancied runners La Bella Boom and Hi Barbie
Tony Gollan has no reason to be concerned ahead of Friday’s rescheduled Magic Millions meeting, after all, he triumphed in 2023 under similar circumstances.
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Trainer Tony Gollan has no reason to be concerned ahead of Friday’s rescheduled Magic Millions meeting … after all, he triumphed in 2023 under similar circumstances.
Queensland’s leading trainer has filly La Bella Boom as a top hope in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which has been rescheduled to Friday after a deluge of rain saw last Saturday’s Gold Coast meeting postponed after race three.
After an impressive win in the Gold Pearl (1100m) at the Sunshine Coast, a quick back-up into the $3 million classic was the intended path for La Bella Boom. The weather, however, now means an extra six days between runs awaits.
If punters had any concerns over whether it threw the filly’s preparation off course, Gollan didn’t share them.
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“I don’t think it’s a negative … maybe some of those horses that have had their runs spaced out a little bit, it might be more of a negative for them,” Gollan said.
“It doesn’t really worry me too much, we’ll just give her a little bit of work on Tuesday at Eagle Farm and bring her back down Friday night.”
Stablemates Hi Barbie and Formula Rossa also line up in the 2YO Classic, with Hi Barbie out to rebound after suffering cardiac arrhythmia in the Group 3 Bruce McLachlan Stakes when a well-backed favourite.
The filly has ticked all the boxes since then and while the extra six days could be seen as beneficial, Gollan didn’t think it would have much impact on her hopes on Friday.
“I don’t think it makes much of a difference to be honest, if she can turn up Friday night, both fillies really, as good a shape as what they were yesterday, I’ll be pretty happy,” he said.
What a win!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025
LA BELLA BOOM storms home for a dominant win in the 2YO Gold Pearl, right on song for next week's 2YO @mmsnippets!@CWilliamsJockey | @tonygollanpic.twitter.com/bmEnh0z3Ua
• Magic Millions night move after rain ruins meeting
Gollan won the 2023 Magic Millions 2YO classic with Skirt The Law in a meeting that was postponed from Saturday to Thursday.
“It’s a very similar year to when Skirt The Law won the Magic Millions, we came that day and they put the races back to the Thursday – I don’t see it as a negative for any of mine,” he said.
Track curators at the Gold Coast have dealt with plenty of adversity in the past week. A damaged section of turf near the 500m mark saw The Sunlight meeting on January 4 moved to the Sunshine Coast, with staff forced to work overtime to get the surface ready in time for last Saturday’s Magic Millions meeting – only for 41mm of rain to fall on race day.
With more rain expected this week, track staff will again be working overtime to ensure the surface is up to scratch for a seven-race meeting on Friday night that will feature not only the Magic Millions 2YO Classic but also the $3 million 3YO Guineas.
“We are opening up the gates with free admission on Friday night, and we hope as many people can join us for what will be a fantastic night of entertainment on and off the track,“ Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines said.
“We are just waiting on the race schedule to be confirmed and that will help shape what the night looks like.”
The fields and barriers from Saturday’s postponed meeting will carry over to Friday, subject to scratchings.
Racing Queensland advises that the remainder of today’s The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions meeting will be transferred to Aquis Park this Friday evening.https://t.co/v4EM8MTRA2
— Racing Queensland (@Racing_QLD) January 11, 2025
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Gollan said he believed the club and Racing Queensland made the right call with a six-day turnaround for the rescheduled meeting.
“When you do it six days later, it allows you to reset your horses properly. I hate postponements that are shifted around a couple of days,” he said.
“When you’ve six days to get your horse back into their routine, give them a nice piece of work and then get them back down here, I think we all get a fighting chance next Friday night – and hopefully better conditions.”
Despite all the hurdles presented to this year’s Magic Millions Carnival, Gollan believed it had been well-handled by racing officials.
“It’s been a unique Magic Millions Carnival to say the least, but I do feel like between Racing Queensland and Magic Millions, they’ve done a really good job with what they’ve been able to do,” he said.
“Shifting that meeting to the Sunshine Coast went really well, (also) all the festivities and things they’ve had involved in the week, I think they’ve done a really good job.
“To shift this meeting to Friday night, it will be pretty special, they’ve handled the adversity really well.”
Originally published as Leading trainer Tony Gollan not concerned by 2025 Magic Millions postponement for fancied runners La Bella Boom and Hi Barbie
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