Wyong preview: Promising colt Blitzburg is out to remain unbeaten and lock in a Magic Millions berth

A place in the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic is online and promising colt Blitzburg is ready snap up the spot when he heads to Wyong for an important qualifier.

Blitzburg is looking to make it two from two when he heads to Wyong. Picture: Bradley Photos

The $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic has been the long range target for Blitzburg and trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are hoping the exciting colt can cement his place in January’s feature when he heads to the Central Coast.

Blitzburg had trialled well ahead of his debut but showed great improvement to recorded a gutsy win on debut from Offenbach over 900m at Newcastle two weeks ago.

“We expected him to go to the races and run well but the way he won exceeded our expectations,” said Alexiou.

“He has been steadily improving all preparation from jumpouts to trials and from trials to race.

“While he didn’t wow anyone with his trials, we were happy enough with them and he then went to the races and won so he has done all you could ask at this stage.

Blitzburg is put into the race by @clarkyhk and the Snitzel colt holds the favourite Offenbach at bay. @GRyanRacing 🏇

That's an early double for Tim Clark ✅✅ pic.twitter.com/ykJcWio4jx

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 27, 2024

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“Tim (Clark) was very impressed with his performance. He said he had to do it a bit tough early and do a bit of work to get across in the position he did.”

The son of Snitzel is looking to remain unbeaten when he contests the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m).

“This is a big step up in class and but he has come through the run very well and his work last Friday tells us he has taken that next step,” he said.

“We are looking forward to finding out where he fits in but he’s a nice horse going forward all the same.

“I think he is in this race up to his ears.

“He is a nice colt going the right way. I’m not sure where his level is yet but hopefully it’s a while before we find out.

“The Magic Millions is definitely on the cards. That’s the way he have him headed.

“If he can get through with a win at Wyong, he might find himself up there (Gold Coast) without another run.”

Blitzburg opened at $11 but firmed substantially into $6.50 behind Tempestuous who eased from $2.10 to $2.40.

Ryan and Alexiou also looking forward to the return of lightly-raced four-year-old Incarcerated in the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

Incarcerated absorbs early pressure and leads throughout under @blerena60 to break the maiden at @WyongRaceClub 👏 pic.twitter.com/Chns1v9sdG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 20, 2024

The son of Press Statement only made his debut back in June when runner-up Tai Victory at Goulburn.

Two starts later he won his maiden by two lengths from Kervette at Wyong and returned at his next start to claim a Class 1 win from She’s All It by five lengths.

“He’s got a good record at Wyong and has run well carrying big weights before so that won’t be a problem,” Alexiou said.

“He did look to trial quite nicely at Canterbury the other day, albeit in slow time.

“He had a good blow after that trial so he has taken improvement from it and while he is fit enough to win, he will take further improvement from this run also.”

Alexiou said he and Ryan have a Midway at Randwick at the end of the month in mind for Incarcerated but he needs to win first-up to guarantee himself a start in that.

“With his rating, he would have to win at Wyong to cement his place in that race,” he said.

“I think he is definitely up to Midway grade and if he take that next step, he may be up to off season Saturday grade but we will let him work that out.”

The stable had handy mare Ballroom Bella engaged in the Magic Millions Wyong 3YO and 4YO Stakes but have scratched her from the race.

She is nominated for the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

STAYING TRIP WILL SEE MONTGOMERY FIGHTING OUT THE FINISH

Trainer John Thompson expects to see Montgomery race in a prominent position and be fighting out the finish now that the gelding is able to step up to a much more suitable distance.

Montgomery kicked off his campaign over 1300m at Randwick when down the order behind Blazing Harry but was making steady ground late before finishing a two-and-a-half length sixth behind Tom Cruising over 1600m at Hawkesbury.

“He’s is just an out and out stayer this horse,” said Thompson.

“He was okay over the mile the other day but he just needs further. It’s as simple as that.

“They are still able to outsprint him over those distances but when he gets up to 2100 metres and 2400 metres, that’s when the real staying ability comes into it and when he comes to the fore.”

An easy watch for Montgomery punters! 👏

The 3yo gelding gets the chocolates in the last at Nowra for @JTRacingRwik. pic.twitter.com/dzeRvi3IuX

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 13, 2024

The son of Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon steps up to a much more suitable trip in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (2100m) with Zac Lloyd to ride.

“He is third-up now at 2100 metres and will improve again after this run but over this distance from a good draw with a good jockey, he is going to be running well,” he said.

The gelding won his maiden over this track and distance last preparation when he made a midrace move from the 1000m to go to the front and raced away to win by nearly six lengths.

He also raced on speed when second at Newcastle, winning at Nowra over and another second at Newcastle to end his campaign.

“He will be thereabouts up there again no doubt now that he’s up to a suitable distance,” Thompson said.

“He’s going really well, he will be running well this week and I think he is in for a good preparation.

Thompson’s other runner for the day is Welcome Gypsy in the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) where he expects her to also be fighting out the finish.

The daughter of Toronado resumed with a handy second behind Zealously over 1000m at this course and has improved from the run according to her trainer.

“She trialled nicely and he run was good the other day behind a good horse,” he said.

“It was a nice starting point and she has come on from the run.

“To my eye, it looks like a two horse race between and Gerald and Sterling’s horse, Incarcerated.”