The Magic Millions Classic betting odds were turned upside down on Tuesday after the barrier draw for the $3,000,000 race.
Ciaron Maher’s Icarian Dream was the clear betting sites favourite. After getting a wide draw, the filly now is one of the outsiders for Saturday’s race at Gold Coast Racecourse.
On the other hand, Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans’s Invincible Woman and the Hawkes Racing-trained Gallo Nero benefited massively from the barrier draw.
Magic Millions Classic betting favourite handed poor barrier draw
Magic Millions Classic betting favourite draws barrier 16
Highlights
- Icarian Dream had $4.50 odds to win before the barrier draw.
- Invincible Woman and Gallo Nero are the new Magic Millions Classic favourites.
- The Magic Millions Classic may be moved to Eagle Farm.
Favourites’ odds take a hit
The betting apps gave Icarian Dream $4.50 odds of winning this Saturday’s Magic Millions Classic. The filly was the clear favourite. Now, she’s not even in the top three. The reason for this is her poor barrier draw.
Icarian Dream was drawn into barrier 21. She will race out of barrier 16 if all emergency runners are excluded from the race.
Most sites now give Icarian Dream just $8 chances. She is joint-fourth favourite with Peter Snowden’s Memo.
Ciaron Maher admitted after the draw that the betting odds are probably right and that Icarian Dream’s chances indeed have gotten a lot harder.
“The job will be a little bit more difficult from out there in 21,” Maher said.
“But, as my mother would say, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ She was very dominant on the weekend, and I’m sure she’ll run a pretty forward race (on Saturday),” he added.
New Magic Millions Classic betting favourites
With Icarian Dream’s betting odds slashed, Invincible Woman and Gallo Nero are the new best bets for Saturday’s race.
Invincible Woman’s odds dropped from $9 down to just $5 immediately after the draw. The odds have jumped a bit since then, with most horse racing betting outlets offering bets at $5.50 now.
Gallo Nero benefited even more than Invincible Woman. The Hawkes Racing-trained galloper had just $15 chances before Tuesday’s draw. He now has $6 from most bookmakers.
Gold Coast may not be ready
The Magic Millions Classic betting odds are not the only things that have been changing rapidly this week.
After it was discovered that Gold Coast Racecourse needed its turf replaced around the 500m mark, officials have been scrambling all week to come up with a backup plan in case the track is not ready for this Saturday’s $14 million Magic Millions Carnival.
Organisers would prefer that the Gold Coast Turf Club host the Magic Millions Classic and this Saturday’s other races, but they could be moved.
Eagle Farm is the most likely new venue, should Gold Coast not be ready. Officials are already working to get it ready, just in case.
More Horse Racing News
Cavalry Girl set for Inglis Millennium after win at Flemington
After starting her career with a runner-up and first place finish at Geelong and Flemington, Cavalry Girl is set to race in the Inglis Millennium at Randwick next week. The Tom Dabernig-trained filly is one of the top three favourites.
Clear Thinking wins fourth straight, eyeing Country Championships
Paul Messara’s mare Clear Thinking is still perfect after winning the Highway Handicap at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of Dubawi is set to run in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes next. The Country Championships is also an option.
Chris Waller’s Joliestar showing strong form ahead of autumn campaign
Chris Waller’s Joliestar looks likely to pick up in 2025 where she left off in 2024 following a strong trial run at Rosehill on Saturday. Her trainer says she could make her 2025 debut at Flemington in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Mr Brightside set for Autumn return to racing, trip to Hong Kong likely
Lindsay Park trainers Ben, JD, and Will Hayes have a big Autumn planned for eight-time Group 1-winner Mr Brightside. They say the gelding could run in three Group 1 races before heading to Hong Kong to prove himself in another market.
James Cummings’ Polyglot eyeing Eskimo Prince Stakes after Rosehill win
Godolphin Racing are considering what’s next for Polyglot after his impressive win in the Precise Air Benchmark 72 at Rosehill. The James Cummings-trained gelding could be ready to make the next step and run in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick next month.
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou to debut competitive new colt
Ryan & Alexiou Racing are set to debut an untested runner, Sanctified. The two year old will run in this Saturday’s Chandon Handicap at the outfit’s home track of Gardens. If he wins, the colt could run in next month’s $2m Inglis Millennium at Randwick.
Noah Strang is an experienced sports journalist that has covered a wide variety of topics across the sports world. When not writing, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or watching a sports game on television.