Betting for the 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast turned on its head as Gallo Nero wins at Randwick

The opener at Randwick on Saturday saw Gallo Nero race his way into Magic Millions contention, while the unlucky Apocalyptic made a statement even in defeat.

Tyler Schiller rides Gallo Nero to victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Gallo Nero raced his way into Magic Millions contention, the unlucky Apocalyptic made a statement even in defeat and Memo was left a borderline entry for the rich Gold Coast race.

This was the tale of the tape after the trio of promising two-year-olds fought out the finish of the Petaluma Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday – a race that is likely to prove a strong juvenile form reference for later in the season.

Team Hawkes has another talented two-year-old colt by boom Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett after Gallo Nero broke through for a stylish win.

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Apocalyptic ran into dead-ends in the straight which denied her a chance to make a winning debut, while Memo endured a wide run without cover and held on for a game third.

The result caused an immediate revamp of TAB Fixed Odds betting for the $3 million Magic Millions on the Gold Coast on January 11 with Gallo Nero firming from $15 into $6 second favouritism.

Icarian Dream is the new Magic Millions favourite at $5 with Memo easing from $5 to $7.

Gallo Nero’s co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the plan was for the improving colt to take his place in the Magic Millions field.

“We will see how Gallo Nero pulls up but the Magic Millions is a target,’’ Hawkes said.

“If he doesn’t get to the Magic Millions then he will be a nice colt for the autumn. That was a very good win today.’’

Gallo Nero ($5), ridden by Tyler Schiller, took a gap between runners in the straight, accelerated clear and held off the fast-finishing Apocalyptic ($6.50) to win by a long neck with Memo ($2.40 favourite) one-and-a-quarter lengths away third.

Gallo Nero takes out the Randwick opener! @HawkesRacingpic.twitter.com/9cyTVdiGta

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024

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Hawkes said Gallo Nero showed better race sense this time after he was very keen during the run in his debut fourth behind The Playwright.

“We thought he should have won first-up but still ran a good race,’’ Hawkes said.

“We gave him an easy barrier trial on Monday to teach him to relax better.

“He raced more truly today and coming to the corner, Tyler was looking to get to the outside but then switched back inside.

“The thing I liked the most was the way the colt accelerated between runners and really wanted to attack the line.

“We thought he could win today and he has done us proud.’’

Schiller conceded Gallo Nero was “still learning” and probably should have won by a bigger margin.

“I was a bit ‘soft’ on him late,’’ Schiller said.

“When he dashed through to take the lead, he was going to win easily but he switched off late.

“But there are a lot of good signs because he is a very nice colt, he has won well and will keep improving.’’

Jockey Tyler Schiller speaks to Gallo Nero’s connections, including co-trainer Michael Hawkes (second from left) and part owner Neil Werrett (right), after the colt’s victory at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Gallo Nero is the second winner in successive Saturday Randwick meetings for young stallion sensation Wootton Bassett, also the sire of last week’s brilliant colt Pallaton.

Wootton Bassett is already the sire of more than 40 stakes-winners including nine Group 1 winners in the northern hemisphere and his reputation is growing at an exponential rate here.

Bred at historic Kambula Stud in South Australia, Gallo Nero was sold for $370,000 at the Magic Millions Sale last January.

Gallo Nero is the first foal out of his dam Chianti, a city winner and a daughter of super sire I Am Invincible.

The promising colt’s owners include leading Sydney racing identity Neil Werrett of Black Caviar fame.

Gallo Nero capped a memorable Christmas week for Werrett after Black Caviar produced her fifth winner from six foals to race, and her first to win on debut, when Persian Caviar scored easily at Wangaratta earlier this week.

It's a sensational debut win from Persian Caviar! 🔥

The daughter of the late Black Caviar is the first of her five foals to win on debut 👏@[e-mail]/BMdBBsFqL4

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 23, 2024

The legendary Black Caviar gave birth to her ninth foal, a colt by Snitzel, back in August then lost her life after contracting laminitis. She also has a yearling colt by The Autumn Sun.

Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his brother Wayne and their father, Hall of Famer John, also revealed the stable’s other highly-rated Wootton Bassett two-year-old, West Of Swindon, is back in pre-training after his outstanding debut second to North England in the Golden Gift during the spring.

“West Of Swindon has spelled well, we are very happy with him,’’ Hawkes said.

“If he draws a barrier he probably wins on debut but he is very promising.

“We are lucky to have two such nice colts by Wootton Basset and we have a few more than haven’t raced yet so there is plenty to look forward to later in the season.’’

Does the slipper fit? 🤔 North England wins the Inglis Golden Gift for @GaiWaterhouse1 and @clarkyhk! pic.twitter.com/MVPyMRibJ8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 9, 2024

Gallo Nero deserved his win but the run of Apocalyptic in defeat was impossible to miss.

Apocalyptic’s trainer Michael Freedman, who also prepares Pallaton, said it was a “frustrating watch” as the filly ran into trouble from the top of the straight.

“She ran up into a dead-end but then I loved the way she balanced up again and charged through,’’ Freedman said.

“In two more bounds she probably wins.

“I’d say she won’t get into the Magic Millions field now but I was lukewarm on taking her up to run in that race at just her second start.

“So, I think we will give her a couple of weeks off and bring her back in February. With the fillies we have seen so race this season, I would say she is right in the mix with the best of them.’’

The Peter Snowden-trained Memo has been placed in each of her three starts, racing without luck every time, which leaves her with just over $70,000 prizemoney and right on the borderline of making the Magic Millions field.

Originally published as Betting for the 2025 Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast turned on its head as Gallo Nero wins at Randwick