Snowden’s and Les Ross bolstered their hands for the Magic Millions with wins at the Gold Coast

The final pieces of the Magic Millions puzzle fell into place with Team Snowden and Les Ross gallopers adding volume to both stables runners next week.

Miss Hellfire wins the Aquis Gold Pearl to qualify for the Magic Millions next week. Picture: Grand Peters–Trackside Photography

Paul Snowden declared his fillies could take down raging Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite Coolangatta next Saturday as the powerful Snowden training operation doubled its arsenal in the rich race.

Already with Russian Conquest in the Magic Millions field as the $7 second pick, Snowden and his father Peter qualified Miss Hellfire who won the Aquis Gold Pearl in strong fashion at the Gold Coast.

The TAB promoted Miss Hellfire, who races in the Triple Crown colours, to be a $15 chance in next Saturday’s big dance and that means the Snowdens have two of the top four chances as they look to lower the colours of boom Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace filly Coolangatta ($1.70).

“The favourite is certainly beatable and it will also come down to barrier draws as well and the makeup of the race,” Snowden said.

“We have now got two really nice fillies qualified for the race.

“Miss Hellfire has got the attitude, the toughness and the way she travelled up she was a little bit above herself.

“So there are some good signs for me telling me that she is going to back up well next week and that’s why we targeted this race today.

“Russian Conquest has got a bit of class whereas this filly (Miss Hellfire) is improving very quickly.

“The 1200(m) next week will be no dramas for Miss Hellfire and wet or dry there will be no dramas.

“I’m really keen to back her up next week, she has got more left in the tank and that is for sure.”

A professional performance from Miss Hellfire sees her take out Race 4 at @GCTurfClub for @SnowdenRacing1 and @BenThompson2102! pic.twitter.com/PU2E7qafd8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 8, 2022

Miss Hellfire was sent out at $4.80 in the Aquis Gold Pearl and the Snowdens always knew she would be a big improver from the Wyong 2YO Classic where she finished second but was pushed back to the inferior part of the track on the day.

Meanwhile, larrikin Queensland trainer Les Ross savoured a magic moment and a training highlight when he qualified his third runner for next Saturday’s Magic Millions.

Ross trains horses with the distinctive “Mishani” moniker for knockabout owner Mike Crooks and Mishani Spartan has now joined Mishani Warfare and Mishani Persuasion in the 2YO Classic field.

Mishani Spartan won on debut at $51 at Ipswich on December 31 but showed that was certainly no fluke when coming from last to first to win the Aquis Gold Nugget.

Mishani Spartan was sent out at $20 in the Nugget but is now a shorter price to win next Saturday’s 2YO Classic (firming from $101 into $17 with TAB).

Mishani Spartan was dead last at the turn and produced a huge turn of foot to take out Race 3 at @GCTurfClub at huge odds! A win for @lesrossracing and @blprebble 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wYM2NMycl2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 8, 2022

“That gives us three horses into the Magic Millions, so look out,” Ross warned.

“We were trying to get a few in, so three is great.

“Hopefully it’s wet next week.

“I was told if I put blinkers on this horse he would improve by ten lengths, I don’t know if he improved ten but he certainly improved.

“It won’t hurt him running three times in quick succession as he has done plenty of miles.”

Jockey Brett Prebble will ride Kiwi Bright Blue Sky in the Magic Millions but did a brilliant job to qualify Mishani Spartan for Ross.

“He showed really good finishing speed and I love that in a horse,” Prebble said.

“He doesn’t know what he’s doing and he’s doing it on raw ability.

Mishani Spartan wins the Aquis Gold Nugget at the Gold Coast. Picture: Grant Peters — Trackside Photography

“He mightn’t be ready for the Magic Millions but they are going to have a ball of fun with him in the future.”

Miss Hellfire ran almost a second quicker in winning the Pearl than Mishani Spartan did in winning in the Nugget.

Stupendo, a winner on debut at Flemington for Danny O’Brien, ran well for second in the Nugget and firmed from $26 to $17 in Magic Millions betting.

Originally published as Snowden’s and Les Ross bolstered their hands for the Magic Millions with wins at the Gold Coast