Gun jockey could knock mount Flamenco Girl out of Magic Millions Classic with Real Good ride

MICHAEL Cahill is in the box seat to ride Flamenco Girl in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic but could knock the filly out with a Real Good ride today.

Gold Coast jockeys Michael Cahill (left) and Tim Bell are equal in the Queensland metro jockeys' premiership leading into the final two meetings of the season. Shown is them during a photo shoot at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Picture: Regi Varghese

MICHAEL Cahill can’t recall being in a position like this.

The veteran jockey is in the box seat to ride Flamenco Girl in next Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic but the filly will be replaced in the Classic field by Real Good if Cahill can pilot that horse to victory at the Gold Coast today.

Flamenco Girl currently holds the 16th and final spot in the Classic field but a victory by Real Good or one of the other eight Magic Millions hopefuls racing at either the Gold Coast or Rosehill today will see her be demoted to an emergency for the big race.

Cahill admits it’s a confusing situation to be involved with.

If Real Good doesn’t win today but one of the other eight Magic Millions hopefuls salute, then Flamenco Girl and Real Good could both miss a start in the Classic and Cahill could be without a ride.

That’s why he hasn’t locked anything in just yet.

“I will know a lot more after (today) and Real Good will have to win that race to get into the Magic Millions,” he said.

Cahill on his way to winning the Magic Millions Classic aboard Real Surreal in 2013.

“He is a promising type and he ran well at his only start (at Doomben last month) and he has come up with a nice barrier.

“But Flamenco Girl goes good as well and she just didn’t handle the wet track at all last start and her two starts prior to that were good.”

Cahill knows what it takes to win the Classic.

The Gold Coast-based jockey won the $2 million race aboard Real Surreal in 2013 and feels Flamenco Girl and Real Good could be competitive if either or both make the final field.

“Real Good races well in behind horses and he is a good chaser and that’s a big help in a race like the Magic Millions,” he said. “But Flamenco Girl is the same and it’s just a shame we didn’t see the best of her last weekend.”

There are six Magic Millions hopefuls lining up in the first race at the Gold Coast today and a further three in the opening race at Rosehill.

All nine need to win to be guaranteed a start in the Classic, meaning only two horses can force their way into the Magic Millions field today.

Among the hopefuls racing at the Gold Coast will be debutant Sagaronne for Toby Edmonds.

The local trainer unsuccessfully tried to qualify Platinum Gray for the Classic via this race last year and he is hoping for better luck this time around.

“She is a big strong type and she won a trial last week,” ­Edmonds said.

“I don’t think there was much in the trial but (Sagaronne and Vision Of Hope) cleared out by a big margin and we will have one roll of the dice and nothing ventured, nothing gained.”