Arabian Summer scorches rivals in Ballarat 2YO Classic to enhance Magic Millions prospects

Tony McEvoy will “let the dust settle” before deciding if dominant Ballarat 2YO Classic winner Arabian Summer heads to the Magic Millions.

Arabian Summer romps home in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Arabian Summer emerged as a Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender with an emphatic victory in the Ballarat qualifier on Saturday.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly jumped, led and walloped her opposition by 3½ lengths on the rain-affected track under jockey Harry Coffey.

“Having the benefit of having those two hard runs in (stakes) grade held her in really good stead,” Tony McEvoy said.

“Dropping in grade, walking over the road, on our home deck, she really impressed me today.

“It’s going to be a hard race to weigh up of what level it is this race, but it’s worth a lot of money and she was super impressive.

“We’ve got to make a decision now on whether to go north. She’s so professional and the Gold Coast suits horses that race like her. We’ll enjoy today, let the dust settle and see what happens.”

Bring on the Gold Coast!

Arabian Summer scorches the turf in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic 🔥@mcevoymitchell@[e-mail]/4L1qh0N42C

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 9, 2023

McEvoy won the 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Sunlight.

Arabian Summer, a multiple stakes-placed daughter of Too Darn Hot, firmed $26 into $11 with TAB for the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at Gold Coast on January 13 after the Ballarat romp.

Godolphin colt Parkour, a son of Extreme Choice, and Vianarra, trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, closed off late to grab second and third respectively from Invincible Beau.

Coffey, who piloted a running treble for the McEvoys either side of Arabian Summer, with Sunset Dreaming and Give Giggles, knew he was on the best two-year-old in the race.

“Home track advantage was the key but it’s a fair drop in grade,” Coffey said.

“I thought her Caulfield run was a really good run and then she got lost down the straight in a pretty smart race at Flemington.

“All she had to do was turn up and even if she wasn’t at her best, I thought she’d still win.”

Mott continues ‘unbelievable record’ with stable

Jockey Jamie Mott improved his record for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace with victory on Baroque Road in the Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO/4YO Classic (1100m).

Group 1 jockey Mott, who has seven of 14 starts for the powerhouse stable this season, summed up the race perfectly, sliding up along the rail to win the $175,000 race on Saturday.

“Jamie has an unbelievable record for the stable,” Eustace said.

“It’s great to give him another winner for the stable.

“He works extremely hard. He’s a very natural rider.

“He knew exactly what we wanted to do beforehand, that was bounce, travel, be handy enough, not necessarily force the pace, but make sure he was there.”

Shortest way home!

Baroque Road sticks to the rail and proves too strong in the Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO & 4YO Classic. @[e-mail]/HrNgEWFrug

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 9, 2023

Baroque Road won by three-quarters of a length from Stupendo, trained by Danny O’Brien.

Favourite A Little Deep, who placed second in the race last year for Maher and Eustace, loomed up but peaked on the run to finish third.

Baroque Road could head up to the Gold Coast next month for the Magic Millions Rising Stars (1300m) on January 6.

“He’s not just a wet tracker which is really handy,” Eustace said.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does and got from there.

“He’ll step up in trip, but he’s sharp.”

Mott credited Maher and Eustace for the successful combination.

“It’s more them than myself,” Mott said.

“They seem to get the job done day in, day out, any races from small to big and I’m happy to be a small part of it.”

Originally published as Arabian Summer scorches rivals in Ballarat 2YO Classic to enhance Magic Millions prospects