Isotope primed to shine in Magic Millions build-up

Having firmed into Magic Millions favouritism, Isotope is primed for its next major test. But Brisbane’s big wet has posed questions about how it will cope.

Isotope won with arrogance in its last outing. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography.

Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas favourite Isotope will next Saturday be out to enhance her credentials for next month’s $2 million race with trainer Tony Gollan saying a week of wet Brisbane weather is unlikely to worry the talented filly.

Isotope surged in betting to become the new Magic Millions 3YO favourite when she won the Listed Mode Plate with arrogance and Gollan will deploy her in Saturday’s $200,000 Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Doomben.

There she is likely to face Away Game, the Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained filly who was a two-year-old star when she claimed the Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic and was runner-up behind Farnan in the Golden Slipper.

Isotope is favourite for the Magic Millions. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Away Game hasn’t raced as a three-year-old but Glen Boss, who will ride her next Saturday, says he was delighted with her work when riding her in a trial at Rosehill last month.

“She still has to come back and do it as a three-year-old – some of them don’t — but I see no reason why she won’t,” Boss said of Away Game, who is on the second line of Guineas betting at $8.

Meanwhile, Gollan isn’t worried by the fact it rained heavily in Brisbane on Sunday and is again likely to on Monday, ahead of a week of consistent wet weather.

Isotope, a daughter of Deep Field, may be untested on heavy tracks but she has won two from two on the soft.

“I don’t think it will be a problem for her, her couple of goes on soft were good and I think she really likes soft ground,” Gollan said.

“The Gold Edition will be a strong race and they only get harder from now on through to the Millions.

“I am keen to give her a month between Gold Edition and the Guineas, that will suit her and we will barrier trial her in between.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of the Gold Edition and knowing Doomben, we would like a low barrier draw.”

Glenn Boss is keen to see if Away Game can live up to its potential.

Isotope has had barrier issues in the past but a barrier blanket, blinkers and a brow band ensured she was on her best behaviour in her last start.

Gollan hopes the positive experience means previous dramas at the start will be a thing of the past for his filly.

“You never say never, but touch wood she will be fine,” Gollan said.

“Every good experience she has is that little bit closer to me feeling more comfortable about it.”

Brisbane’s leading trainer Gollan was one of many who were happy to give the Eagle Farm track plaudits after it raced well in The Gateway meeting after a 10-week renovation.

Trainer Tony Gollan isn’t concerned about wet weather in Brisbane.

The soft track played fairly and there was little kickback although Gollan said the true test would come after a week of hot weather and no rain.

In a previous incarnation, there were complaints the track was often rock hard and didn’t drain properly – although track managers now insist that should be a thing of the past.

“It really raced terrific on Saturday, but it is not a matter of how good this track is when it rains – we know it’s a good wet weather track,” Gollan said.

“It will be how it races during the good weather, that will probably be the true test.”

The next Saturday meeting at Eagle Farm is the Boxing Day card which features the Magic Millions 2YO lead-up of the $250,000 BJ McLachlan Stakes as well as the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes.

Originally published as Isotope primed to shine in Magic Millions build-up