Talented filly Wide Awake on trial for shot at Magic Millions Classic

The strength of Lindsay Park’s assault on the $2m Magic Millions Classic will become clearer at Flemington when the highly-touted filly Wide Awake makes her debut.

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The strength of Lindsay Park’s assault on next month’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic will become clearer at Flemington when Wide Awake debuts in the #LovetheHorse (1100m).

Wide Awake is among four Gold Coast nominees at Headquarters along with Godolphin’s Conceited, Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s Zeppa and Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s unbeaten filly Unstoppabelle.

David Hayes believes Wide Awake and stablemate Dark Horse, a half-brother to four-time Flemington straight winner Churchill Dancer, both have the talent to contend.

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Trainer David Hayes has a big opinion of Wide Awake and Dark Horse. Picture: Getty Images

“I think they both have above-average ability,” Hayes said.

“Wide Awake is on trial for the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast. She would need to win or run well to justify going up there. She’s a nice filly.

“Dark Horse has trialled well at Flemington and we think he is a nice horse.”

Only two of the nine entrants at Flemington have previously raced – Unstoppabelle, who won on debut in Adelaide, and Yulong Island, who ran third first-up at The Valley.

Unstoppabelle, an I Am Invincible filly, is $4.20 TAB favourite in an intriguing market, narrowly holding sway over Dark Horse, who has shortened from $5.50 to $4.20.

Conceited, a Brazen Beau colt, is next at $6.

Saturday’s meeting marks the end of Robbie Griffiths’ four-month absence from the races after the respected trainer underwent brain surgery in August.

Griffiths will saddle Halvorsen in the Living Legends Trophy (1100m) and Igniter in the Christmas Giving Tree Plate (1720m).

“I'm pretty keen to get to headquarters on Saturday,” Griffiths said. “The doctors told me steer clear of the races, all the activity and all the multi-tasking.

Trainer Robbie Griffiths will return to the races at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: AAP

“I'm still not going to trackwork every morning. This week I've been Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and I'll go Saturday, but some of the slow days, I just work from home.

“I saw the surgeon on Monday and the neurologist on Tuesday and they're very happy with everything. They said if you get a bit tired that's to be expected, but if you feel like you're ready we can't see why you can't do it (the races) now.”

The twilight meeting is the first of six Flemington race-days from December to February.

The VRC will stage two more twilight fixtures, on January 18 and February 9.

Saturday’s meeting kicks off at 3pm and finishes at 8pm.

ON THE PUNT

FLEMINGTON

BEST BET

BAMS ON FIRE (Race 2, No.3)

Desperately unlucky when resuming at Ballarat. Perfectly suited over 1100m with three wins and three thirds from six attempts.

NEXT BEST

MORRISSY (Race 9, No.10)

Badly hampered when held up before clipping heels at The Valley, where he charged late for third over 1200m. Suited by rise to 1400m here.

TYCOON BELLA (Race 4, No.5)

Unbeaten in two starts and could not have been more impressive at Ballarat. This is tougher but she looks up to it.

LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS

THE TRAINER – David Hayes

DARK HORSE (Race 1, No.3): “He’s trialled well at Flemington and I’m expecting a forward showing.”

WIDE AWAKE (Race 1, No.11): “On trial for a trip to the Magic Millions. Like Dark Horse, she has above average ability.”

WESTBROOK PARK (Race 3, No.11): “He’s bouncing off a good win at Moonee Valley, the distance will suit.”

NICCONI STORM (Race 4, No.9): “Won a Maiden as he liked. He’s going well.”

YULONG RISING (Race 7, No.4): “Progressive horse and we’re expecting a good run.”

SMART ELISSIM (Race 8, No.1): “Has been trialling well. Should run well.”

MORE SUNDAYS (Race 8, No.10): “Coming off a win and a good chance again.”

Smart Elissim has been trialling well heading into his first-up run at Flemington. Picture: AAP

AROUND THE TRACKS

EAGLE FARM

ALLIGATOR BLOOD (Race 6, No.1)

The Caulfield Guineas runner-up returns in the Listed Gold Edition Plate and markets suggest he is ready to pick up where he left off in the Melbourne spring. Chasing a sixth win from seven starts, the colt dominates betting.

CRANBOURNE

STARSONIC (Race 2, No 8)

Had excuses last start when fifth at Sandown. Back to provincial ranks here and drawn beautifully for Daniel Moor and Phillip Stokes. Gets his chance here.

ASCOT

LEVITATE (Race 1, No.6)

Heavily backed in early markets, a result of Perth racing’s most lethal combination — decent form and the presence of Willie Pike. Pike, clear leader in the WA premiership, has a bag of good rides and will be looking to start the day in positive fashion.

RANDWICK

GOLD FIELDS (Race 7, No.2)

Bidding for a hat-trick, Logan McGill’s warhorse tackles the Group 2 Villiers. The last winner of Stephen Baster’s career, the Sale Cup victor has firmed steadily in betting after opening at $12. Nash Rawiller’s decision to take the ride is a positive pointer.

Originally published as Talented filly Wide Awake on trial for shot at Magic Millions Classic