Miss Hipstar emerges from Ippy as wildcard Magic Millions contender

An 800m race at Ipswich isn’t the usual spot you look for a potential Magic Millions winner, but Kelly Schweida thinks he might have one that can buck the trend.

Kelly Schweida says he is more than happy with Miss Hipstar heading forward. Picture: Trackside Photography

Kelly Schweida wasn’t frightened by what he saw at Eagle Farm on Saturday and has said he wouldn’t swap last week’s Ipswich winner Miss Hipstar for any other runner in the MM 2YO Classic.

“The best one I’ve seen so far is the Wyong winner (She’s All Class),” he said.

“The time wasn’t flash (in the B.J. McLachlan), while my filly ran comparable time at Ipswich to the Class 3 horses. I wouldn’t swap her.”

The trainer’s faith in the Star Turn filly has been stoked by Larry Cassidy’s confidence, after being aboard in both wins to date.

“He’s been there and done that. He’s ridden more good ones than I’ve trained good ones,” Schweida said. “The fact he gives her a rap gives me plenty of confidence.”

Schweida is leaning towards running Miss Hipstar in the Aquis Gold Pearl (1100m, 2YO F) on January 9 before backing up a week later.

“I don’t mind that scenario. It’s not ideal to have just one 800m race going into (the Magic Millions),” he said. “I’m a bit of a fan of patterns and I like that race the week before.

“Plus it gives her the chance to look at the track as well.”

KISSED BY GOOD FORTUNE

The absence of the top two Magic Millions Guineas fancies is likely to see Gotta Kiss run a warm favourite in Saturday’s Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.

Co-trainer Matt Hoysted said at one stage he and Steve O’Dea were looking at the Nudgee Stakes (1200m), but the Vo Rogue over 1400m has firmed as the probable landing point with Isotope and Away Game bypassing the race and waiting for the Gold Coast.

“That’s been the reason we’ve gone down that path, rather than running in the Nudgee. The fact those other big guns are going straight in, it just looks like it’s a race that can work out perfect for her,” he said.

“She’s been screaming out for the 1400m on the big track her first two runs back.”

Gotta Kiss trialled comfortably last week behind Niedorp and Oh Five Glory in her first public hitout since charging home for second to Isotope in the Mode Plate.

Vo Rogue rivals will include the Tony Gollan pair Palladas and Starosa.

One filly who is a confirmed runner to take on the older mares in the Nudgee is the Michael Nolan trained Kisukano.

Gotta Kiss will go around a short-priced favourite in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate.

RKETS

MM 2YO CLASSIC

January 16

$4.40 She’s All Class

$6 Alpine Edge

$9 Baby Wong, Fake Love

$12 Ranch Hand

$14 Shaquero, Vandoula Lass

$19 Miss Hipstar, Readily Availabull

$21+ Others

MM 3YO GUINEAS

$2.80 Isotope

$6.50 Away Game

$11 Forbidden Love

$12 Gotta Kiss

$14 Ellsberg, Palladas

$17 Smart Image

$19 Shooting For Gold

$21+ Others

Odds: Ladbrokes

THIS WEEK

Tuesday: Rockhampton, Gosford, Yarra Valley, Canberra

Wednesday: Doomben, Coffs Harbour, Werribee, Bunbury

Thursday: Kilcoy, Gosford, Nowra, Warrnambool, Echuca, Port Lincoln, Mount Barker

Friday: Ipswich, Canterbury (night), Flemington, Gundagai, Inverell, Port Macquarie, Kyneton, Mornington, Murray Bridge, Pinjarra, Longford

Saturday: Eagle Farm, Kensington, Caulfield, Gawler, Ascot, Toowoomba (night), Townsville, Bell, Wyong, Terang, King Island

Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Ballina, Gilgandra, Sale, Benalla, Bunbury

THE QUOTE

“We’re in a really good spot and will be one of the hardest to beat.”

— Toby Edmonds likes where he’s placed with Alpine Edge, knowing he only has to walk across the road to a track he’s very familiar with for his Grand Final in three weeks, adding it’s unlikely he will run again before MM day.

THE TALKING POINT

The Magic Millions 2YO Classic was turned on its head with Shaquero’s flop and Vandoula Lass failing to find the line in Sydney, leaving She’s All Class alone at the top of the market and Alpine Edge second elect. Still time for an untapped one to emerge as a genuine threat in the next fortnight.

THE RIDE

Justin Huxtable made the winning move early by getting on the back of Michael Rodd (Oh Five Glory) to have Shooting For Gold poised to pounce in a very slowly run race. Rounded out the day with a polished display on Stampe in the last.

THREE TO BACK

Roman Aureus, Race 9: Right back in form here.

Skate To Paris, Race 7: The 1800m race on MM day could be her go.

Dzsenifer, Race 3: Just missed against a handy Sydneysider.

RISK

Viridine (Race 8) is so honest, but that’s left him high up in the weights and he’s struggling to match strides with lighter weighted rivals.

THE FLOP

Shaquero was gone on the turn in a performance totally in contrast to his Breeders’ Plate win and trials. Surely he’s a lot better than that.

SHARP SHOOTERS

The Falvelon looked super tough, but punters found the winner Roheryn as the pick of the Godolphin trio and sent him out favourite. Good money for The Odyssey in the same race just missed the mark.

Originally published as Miss Hipstar emerges from Ippy as wildcard Magic Millions contender