Magic Millions: Capitalist draws dream barrier

ODDS-on favourite Capitalist has shortened into $1.65 for this Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic after drawing ideally in barrier two.

Blake Shinn riding Capitalist returns to scale, after winning the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO classic, at Wyong Race Club. Picture:Peter Clark

ODDS-on favourite Capitalist has shortened into $1.65 for this Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic after drawing ideally in barrier two.

The good news didn’t end there for Capitalist’s connections either with his main rival Zelady’s Night Out drawing poorly in barrier 19.

Major fancy Slumber Party also drew wide in barrier 20.

TAB reacted quickly to the draw by winding Capitalist’s price in from $1.75 to $1.65 after the draw. Nikitas also firmed into an equal $9.50 second favourite with Zelady’s Night Out after drawing alongside Capitalist in barrier three.

Meanwhile, in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, Egyptian Symbol fared the best of the main fancies in gate six.

Favourite Mahuta (20) and major fancies Flippant (19) and Sir Bacchus (21) all drew wide.

Egyptian Symbol is now a $4.60 second favourite behind Mahuta at $4.20 with TAB.

Follow the live tweets of the Magic Millions draw by Gold Coast Bulletin reporter Tom Boswell below.

Tweets by @ThomasBoswell1

EARLIER: Niccolance was given windburn by Capitalist at Wyong last month but punters are rallying behind Niccolance to cause an upset.

Niccolance, Capitalist’s stablemate, has firmed from $11-$8 in recent days despite finishing 2¾ lengths behind Capitalist in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic last month.

Surfers Paradise has turned in to a race track in the lead up to the Magic Millions barrier draw. #MagicMillions pic.twitter.com/PojGR3cNmb

— Thomas Boswell (@ThomasBoswell1) January 4, 2016

Capitalist was hardly out of first gear at Wyong either but punters feel Niccolance can find the necessary improvement to turn the tables this weekend.

“We’re holding more money on Niccolance than any other runner,” Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen said.

“There’s 25 per cent more money wagered on Niccolance than there is on the favourite Capitalist, who’s the second best backed runner.

“Niccolance opened at $11 and is now $8 and the biggest bet on Niccolance is $1500 at $9.00.”

UBET’s Gerard Daffy reported a similar trend yesterday and feels the support for Niccolance is only set to continue if the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt fares well at the all-important barrier draw on the Surfers Paradise foreshore today.

“There is close to $5000 all in small bets on Niccolance over the last two days and that tells me it will probably continue,” Daffy said.

Odds-on favourite Capitalist eased from $1.75-$1.80 with UBET yesterday as punters started to look for value outside the favourite.

Daffy said Capitalist could get to even money if he draws off the track today.

“It is tricky, as often we have seen horses in the market draw close to the fence and get cut out but the perception is that you are out of business if you draw wide,” he said.

“If he draws ideally I would say Capitalist would be $1.65, maybe shorter, but there is enough interest in those behind him in the market at the moment to say that he can’t be much shorter.

“If he draws the car park he will probably be closer to $2.00 and it will make it a fabulous betting race as there will be support for it and all of the others in the hope it gets posted wide.”

TAB’s Glenn Munsie feels today’s barrier draw will have little or no effect on Capitalist’s price regardless of where he draws “because of his market dominance”.

Along with strong money for Niccolance, Sportsbet yesterday reported good support for the Sunshine Coast-based Dieters.

No jockey knows the Gold Coast track better than Dieters’ jockey Dan Griffin and Jantzen feels the money will keep coming for the Jason McLachlan-trained colt providing he draws well today.

“Dieters only needs to draw well to be very popular with the rank and file,” Jantzen said.

“He is the right odds for the each-way punter and has been extremely popular since winning on debut.

“We can’t keep them off him.”