Every Rose will get another run to be right in Magic Millions

Trainer Mark Newham says he still has confidence in Every Rose despite her Wyong defeat but admits she must race again before her Magic Millions 2YO grand finals.

Deposed Magic Millions favourite Every Rose will run at Eagle Farm in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes on December 28 after being rolled by Farnan at Wyong on Thursday.

Trainer Mark Newnham had originally considered going to the Magic Millions without another run, but knows now she needs to race again.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

“I was always open-minded about it and she pulled up having a good blow,” he said.

“I haven’t lost any confidence in her. She just wasn’t fit enough.”

It looks a good play going to the McLachlan.

The last 10 MM winners had all won at their final lead-up run.

The last to buck that trend was Phelan Ready in 2009.

Every Rose’s stablemate Diamond Thunder will also run on the 28th, where he could clash with Alligator Blood in the Vo Rogue Plate, pending David Vandyke’s call on whether that horse has another start.

Diamond Thunder firmed to $7 second favourite with Ladbrokes for the MM 3YO Guineas when too good in the MM 3&4YO Classic at Wyong.

Joshua Parr pilots Every Rose to victory on Epsom Mile Day.

TRAINERS CLAIM BLURRED VISION AT NIGHT

Twilight racing was the hot topic of conversation in Melbourne at the weekend, with the Flemington meeting finishing at 8pm local time.

It’s fair to say many trainers were totally opposed to the idea. It’s a similar sentiment up here in Queensland, where trainers loathe the late finishes.

Mick Price perhaps made the most sense when interviewed by Racing.com on Saturday, saying very few would vote for it on a personal level, but would be more accepting if the upside is worth it.

“I’d like to see some proper figures in comparison to if it was a day meeting,” he said.

“If as participants we benefit significantly from it, fair enough, if we only benefit a little bit by it, is it worth the impact on personal lives?”

Racing Queensland has pushed times back during the longer daylight hours in the summer and uses the Sunshine Coast lights to have a night finish at Saturday metro meetings at Corbould Park.

As in Melbourne, trainers are very much against the idea and jockeys aren’t so keen on it either.

As it pushes toward more of these meetings, RQ probably needs to take Mick Price’s advice and table the actual numbers and what it means to the industry if it is to convince participants it’s all worthwhile.

LADBROKES WEEKEND REPORT

Best Result — Vienna Power, Race 1: It was an enormous day for punters at Eagle Farm, but it was a slow start with no real support for the winner in the opener.

Worst Result — Ziemba, Race 2: Punters welcomed Michael Rodd back to Queensland with open arms.

Best Backed — Alligator Blood, Race 6: Punters were happy to take the short odds and it was an easy watch.

MARKETS

Magic Millions 2YO Classic

Gold Coast, January 11

$5.50 Farnan

$6.50 Every Rose

$9 Stellar Pauline

$12 Gotta Kiss

$14 The Drinks Cart

$15 Aim, Blondeau, Dusty Tycoon

$17 Conceited, Hinchbeast, Lady Banff, Remorseless, Sancy

$21+ Others

Odds: Ladbrokes

THIS WEEK

Tuesday: Rockhampton, Gunnedah, Mornington

Wednesday: Doomben, Kensington, Caulfield, Bairnsdale, Ascot, Launceston (night)

Thursday: Cairns, Wyong, Warrnambool, Pinjarra

Friday: Sunshine Coast (night), The Valley (night), Goulburn, Lismore, Yarra Valley, Morphettville, Esperance

Saturday: Eagle Farm, Warwick Farm, Flemington, Gawler, Ascot, Gold Coast, Toowoomba (night), Mackay, Newcastle Beaumont, Benalla, Colac, Darwin

Sunday: Townsville, Moruya, Taree, Sale, Horsham, Port Lincoln, Bunbury, Devonport (synthetic)

Ryan Maloney rides Alligator Blood to victory in the Gold Edition Plate.

THE QUOTE

“That’s the last time Alligator Blood will beat me … because I won’t take him on again.”

— Kelly Schweida after The Odyssey found himself in Alligator Blood’s wake in the Gold Edition.

THE TALKING POINT

Is there a more polarising item in racing than the Eagle Farm track? It seemed extraordinary that track records could fall after the rain on Friday and it played fair right across the track. From a punting point of view it was brilliant. But not everyone was happy, with some trainers again airing concerns about how firm it was. The debate happens every single time it races.

THE RIDE

Wide barriers proved an advantage for Robbie Fradd (Deep Image) and Steph Thornton (Epic Girl) as they were able to control the tempo when they got across and then zip home very quickly.

THREE TO BACK

Dreamreacher, Race 3: Proved the mile is no problem.

Chapter And Verse, Race 8: Possibly saved himself a kilo or so for the MM QTIS.

Epic Girl, Race 9: Can keep winning now.

RISK

Miss Fabulass, Race 8: Sets herself huge tasks. Exacerbated by the slow getaway on Saturday, but she’s forever conceding a big start.

THE FLOP

Outback Barbie produced a totally out of character performance. She wasn’t the only mare to flop on the day, with Miss Fabulass, Winning Ways and Boomtown Lass also running lengths below their form.

SHARP SHOOTERS

Punters were on the mark all day. Vega One was possibly the best find, trimming up appreciably from morning line prices.

MORE NEWS

RISING STAR: SLICK ALLIGATOR SMELLS MAGIC MILLIONS BLOOD

TICKET BOOKED: GATEWAY TO STRADDIE OPENS UP FOR VEGA ONE