Trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse have strong hand heading into 2025 Gold Coast Magic Millions carnival

After confirming Magic Millions starts for Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and unbeaten filly Gerringong, trainer Adrian Bott is hoping to add to his star-studded Gold Coast squad at Royal Randwick and Eagle Farm on Saturday.

After confirming Magic Millions starts for Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and unbeaten filly Gerringong earlier this week, trainer Adrian Bott is hoping to add to his star-studded Gold Coast squad at Royal Randwick and Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Bott, who trains in partnership with Hall of Famer Gai Waterhouse, has a number of Magic Millions carnival contenders at both venues a lot of interest will centre on promising three-year-old colt Dawn Service contesting the Petaluma Handicap (1300m) and first starter Albany Road in the Shinzo At Coolmore Plate (1000m) at the Randwick meeting.

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Interstate at Eagle Farm, Waterhouse-Bott stable has The Playwright aiming for her second win from as many starts in the Group 3 $300,000 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m).

The superbly-bred Dawn Service, who is by Coolmore’s sire sensation Justify, is the first foal out of three-time Group 1 winner and 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic heroine Sunlight. The colt cost a cool $1.4m at the Gold Coast yearling sale last year.

But Dawn Service, a winner of two of his five starts, is already a stakeswinner and is on trial to secure his place in the field for the $3m Magic Millions 3YO Guineas next month.

Listed win - Group races beckon!
Dawn Service (Justify-Sunlight) was a $1.4 million Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for @GaiWaterhouse1, Adrian Bott & @bruceaslade from the draft of @CoolmoreAus.
Bred to be a star - he is certainly a star on the rise. #ClassOf2023https://t.co/VgPI3hNxoj

— Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) September 14, 2024

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“Although Dawn Service has to carry a bit of weight, we are utilising the (apprentice) claim so he gets in with 58.5kg and the 1300m should be good for him,’’ Bott said.

“He’s nice and fresh and there is decent form around the colt from the spring so we expect him to run well.’’

Albany Road, a $650,000 yearling purchase, is in a race against time to get into the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic. The son of champion sire Exceed And Excel goes to the races for the first time after an impressive barrier trial win at Randwick late last month.

“We were thinking about running Albany Road in the Wyong Magic Millions race but elected to give him a bit more time,’’ Bott said.

“The Magic Millions is only about three weeks away so it might come around too soon for him but his last trial win was very good.’’

ALBANY ROAD (2 c Exceed and Excel - Miss Toorak Flyer) swoops late to score a trial win over 740m at Randwick for @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott 🔥

The three-quarter brother to Gr 3-winner FLYER was a $650k buy for his trainers with @shbloodstock from @RosemontStud at @mmsnippets… https://t.co/BJhbMDmVtIpic.twitter.com/QcdNjpovom

— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) November 26, 2024

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Eagle Farm is in the heavy range which will suit The Playwright, who handled the soft 7 conditions to win at Rosehill on debut.

“The Playwright travelled to Brisbane well and has settled in great,’’ Bott said.

“They have got a bit of rain up there which won’t worry this filly. As she showed in her debut, she puts herself on speed and is very tough.’’

The Playwright fights to take the first at Rosehill at her first start!@GaiWaterhouse1 | @Reganbayliss | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/RQwQWaYoMS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 30, 2024

• Unbeaten filly gets crack at new $3m slot race

Bott confirmed Lady Of Camelot and Gerringong would go straight into the $3m Magic Millions Sunlight (1200m), the inaugural slot-race run at the Gold Coast on January 4.

Lady Of Camelot was locked by the trainers in their slot after the outstanding filly trialled brilliantly at Hawkesbury last Monday.

Gerringong was picked up by slot-holder Magic Millions for The Sunlight after she streaked home at Canterbury last Friday night.

“To have Lady Of Camelot and Gerringong both in the race is exciting,’’ Bott said.

“Lady Of Camelot has pulled up great after her trial. She didn’t need to do a significant amount to get her back after her spring campaign.

“We’ve always felt it wasn’t asking too much of her to go to the Gold Coast and this race certainly wasn’t an afterthought.

“Gerringong is in her first racing campaign but she has a lot of upside. She ran good time to win last start, she has shown her versatility in both her wins, and profiles well for the Gold Coast race.’’

Originally published as Trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse have strong hand heading into 2025 Gold Coast Magic Millions carnival