Trainer Liam Birchley looks for change of Magic Million luck with Sagatona gaining a run

TRAINER Liam Birchley's Magic Millions luck may have turned with Sagatona now gaining a run in the 2YO event.

WITH Sagatona now gaining a run in the field, Liam Birchley's Magic Millions luck might have finally turned.

The trainer has a masterful record with early two-year-olds, most of the time with cheap horses, but Magic Millions day has been more nightmare than fairytale.

Birchley and owner Judy Clairs were relieved when Nordic Empire became a scratching this morning, meaning their first emergency now secures a start.

Nordic Empire underwent ultra-sound treatment for muscular soreness in his near hind leg yesterday but he was ruled out this morning.

With Sagatona in, Birchley now has two chances, with last start Ipswich winner Ruby Soho also a runner.

"I would like to think it's a good omen (that Sagatona made the field)," Birchley said.

"Both sets of connections have had beaten favourites in the race previously."

Ruby Soho is raced by a team headed up by Meredith Carroll, who was a part-owner of Paprika, a close second to Phelan Ready in 2009.

Clairs also races Missy Longstocking, who ran third when favourite last year.

Sagatona, a daughter of Real Saga who failed to reach a modest $5000 reserve last year, trialled brilliantly in blinkers last Thursday.

"They say the breed are real blinker horses and she raced a bit patchy last start. You had to like what she did in the trial," Birchley said.

Real Saga's other Millions runner, Stroak, will also have blinkers for the first time on Saturday. Notably, the stallion's MM winner from 12 months ago, Real Surreal, also raced in the shades.

Birchley thinks Ruby Soho is sure to run well off barrier two.

"I'm pleased I went the way I did in going to Ipswich now," he said. "It was a bit of a risk, but she scraped into the field and I've put winkers on this time.

"She looked to be in a bit of trouble at Ipswich, but ended up coming away to win easily. She's desperate for 1200m."

While Price is resigned to Nordic Empire missing out on Saturday, he still rates himself a genuine contender with last start Wyong runner-up Geromayo.

Like Sagatona, Geromayo is bidding to join Phelan Ready and Dancer's Joy as the only 'maidens' to win a Magic Millions 2YO.

But Geromayo has improved with every run and Price has a good barometer in race favourite Unencumbered, after finishing second to him at Wyong.