Clinton Taylor’s David vs Goliath battle with Astapor in new Magic Millions race: ‘He’s the forgotten horse’

Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor was once aiming up at the $3m Magic Millions in January, but the $1m prize on Saturday will be a nice enough consolation.

Central Queensland trainer Clinton Taylor maintains he has the forgotten horse in what shapes as a David vs Goliath battle in the $1m Magic Millions 2YO National Classic (1050m) at Doomben on Saturday.

The $1m feature features the likes of Peter Moody, Peter and Paul Snowden, China Horse Club, Kia Ora Stud and Aquis, but Taylor says his $38,000 bargain Astapor can upset them all if he shows what he did on the road to the Magic Millions last year.

Taylor thought he had a contender for the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January, but pulled the pin on his summer campaign after running behind Storm Boy in the Group 3 BJ McLachlan to focus on a winter preparation instead.

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After winning a trial by six lengths in Rockhampton, Taylor says Astapor can be the surprise packet on Saturday.

“His work is really sharp, I think he is the forgotten horse, there have been a few people saying ‘oh we forgot about him’,” he said.

With the race originally scheduled to run under lights at the Gold Coast, it was forced to be moved to the Doomben Cup card at the last minute due to the track debacle on the Glitter Strip.

Taylor said it made for a few nervous moments as he raced time to get Astapor fit in time.

Clinton Taylor has his smart colt Astapor resuming on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters — Trackside Photography.

“We have been a bit behind the eight ball with him but he trialled up really well at home, so I reckon he is fit enough for this, so he will go well,” he said.

“We were looking to get into the Magics back then, we knew this race was on the calendar so we were looking around for what they were going to do with it because if they pushed it forward it was going to be a pain.

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“His last run was in the Bruce McLachlan where he ran fourth to Storm Boy. He had a good spell, he is back now and we wanted to see how he measures up and this is a nice race to kick off seeing as it’s worth $1m.

“He didn’t pull up too well after his last run so we gave him a good break. He has really developed, he has grown a whole hand and he is going super at home so we couldn’t be happier with him really.”

Astapor is a $18 chance with TAB.