Egyptian Symbol and Sir Bacchus add strength to Magic Millions 3YO Guineas field

THE Magic Millions 3YO Guineas promises to be one of the strongest editions yet with Egyptian Symbol and Sir Bacchus moving into the field of 16.

Sir Bacchus (red cap) ridden by Rory Hutchings wins race 2 during Randwick Races. pic Jenny Evans

THE  Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on Saturday promises to be one of the strongest editions yet after major fancies Egyptian Symbol and Sir Bacchus both moved into the field of 16 yesterday.

Egyptian Symbol, a $6 third favourite, and Sir Bacchus, an $8 chance, were both in danger of missing out on a start in the $2 million race but that changed yesterday after more contenders fell by the wayside.

Last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Le Chef was officially ruled out yesterday due to a muscle tear, while Sydney co-trainer Paul Snowden confirmed guaranteed runner Stravigo wouldn’t make the trip north for the 1400m event this weekend.

It comes after guaranteed starters Pepperano, Prompt Return, Sebring Sun, Gold Busker and Zoutenant have all been ruled out of the race in recent weeks.

It means Egyptian Symbol is now 15th in the order of entry for the 3YO Guineas, while Sir Bacchus is set to claim the final spot in the $2 million race.

Egyptian Symbol’s trainer Bjorn Baker was thrilled to hear the filly is now in the rich race after she was a good thing beaten in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day.

Baker won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Unencumbered in 2014, and the Sydney trainer is upbeat he can claim a bit more Magic Millions glory with Egyptian Symbol this Saturday.

“We are thrilled to be in the race and a week ago we thought we had no chance,” Baker said.

“We always had the fillies and mares race as a back-up but it’s nice to get into the race we wanted to get into.

“We had to come up to Queensland early and chase the money in the Vo Rogue Plate but the good thing now is she is rock hard fit and has had a run at the Gold Coast and I couldn’t be happier with her going into the race.”

Egyptian Symbol is beautifully bred, being by 2005 Golden Slipper winner Stratum and out of Our Egyptian Raine, who won the Group 1 Railway Stakes in New Zealand in 2003.

Egyptian Symbol is already a Group 3 placegetter and a win in the 3YO Guineas this Saturday would do wonders to her value as a broodmare in the future.

Meanwhile, the Chris Waller stable last night confirmed Sir Bacchus was likely to take his place in the 3YO Guineas field with reports that champion jockey Damien Oliver is set to ride the three-year-old.

The Sebring gelding has won his past two starts in much weaker company in Sydney but is on an upward spiral.