Bargain bush filly Don’tdoubthelady aims up at millionaires in Magic Millions audition

Sales companies like to sell the million-dollar colts that make the Magic Millions field each year, but Rockhampton trainer is looking to show them all up with his $40,000 bargain filly from the bush on Saturday.

Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor is looking to lock away a Magic Millions spot. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor hopes a strong showing from his bargain buy at Eagle Farm on Saturday will clinch a spot alongside oil-rich sheiks and cashed-up owners in the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Taylor is a regular visitor to Brisbane with his horses and will saddle up Don’tdoubthelady in the QTIS 2YO Handicap (1200m), with a top two finish to all but lock away a start in the Magic Millions in a fortnight’s time.

Don’tdoubthelady made the trip to town last month and was only just beaten by La Bella Boom as a $2.35 chance.

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Taylor was trucking towards the Magic Millions 12 months ago with Astapor before a disappointing run in the BJ McLachlan saw him pull the plug on his preparation.

This time around, the Rockhampton trainer says he has gone the other way and dodged the feature race last week in preference for Saturday’s contest at Eagle Farm.

“We pulled the pin on the Magics after (Astapor) went to the Bruce McLachlan, he ran no good there so we opted to spell him,” Taylor said.

“It crossed my mind to go there again this year with this filly, I just thought the spacing between the runs suited her a bit better to run this weekend instead.

“There is the option of the Gold Coast (the Gold Pearl) the following week, but she will likely go around on Saturday.”

Rockhampton horse trainer Clinton Taylor and jockey Justin Stanley will combine in town. Photo: Tony McMahon

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With $36,200 of eligible prize money to her name, Don’tdoubthelady sits on the cusp of getting a spot in the Magic Millions, with a handful of two-year-old races still to come.

While some crunch the numbers to work out if they will make the field, Taylor is taking a laid-back approach with his filly.

“She could almost get a run as it is at this stage without getting anymore money,” he said.

Don’tdoubthelady was given a jumpout at Rockhampton last Friday, with regular jockey Justin Stanley on board, and the camp is bullish about her chances following her last run behind La Bella Boom.

“She has improved since her last run and we gave her a jump out at home on Friday, so we are pretty happy with her,” Taylor said.

“There wasn’t a heap between them that day, our girl won’t be out of place in town, that is for sure.

“She had 10 days at Embrook after that run, then we gave her the jump out and Justin gave her the tick of approval.”

Originally published as Bargain bush filly Don’tdoubthelady aims up at millionaires in Magic Millions audition