Colts drawn to fire in Millions

Horses parade on Surfers Paradise beach before the Magic Millions draw on Tuesday. Source: Brendan Radke / News Limited

SYDNEY colts Unencumbered or Invisible are poised to break the fillies stranglehold on the $2 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The all-important barrier draw held on Surfers Paradise beach on Tuesday morning was kind to the race favourites with Unencumbered to start from gate three and Invisible in seven.

With most of their main rivals drawn wide, $3.80 favourite Unencumbered and $4.50 chance Invisible are the only Magic Millions runners under $11 in revised betting.

But since 2000, the only colt to win the glamour Gold Coast two-year-old was Bradbury's Luck in 2005 while fillies dominated the race. The race statistics are startling and include:

#Nine of the last 12 Magic Millions have been won by fillies.

#Fillies have run the trifecta the last four years.

#The last male to win the race was the gelding Phelan Ready in 2009.

#The favoured fillies for Saturday's race, Oakleigh Girl (six), Sagatona (13), Stroak (14), Echo Gal (17) and Sheer Style (21) had mixed luck at the barrier draw.

Unencumbered's trainer Bjorn Baker described his colt's starting position as "perfect''.

"The barrier draw is an important obstacle that we have overcome,'' Baker enthused.

"I was hoping for an inside barrier as this gives Nathan (Berry) options on how he will ride the colt.

"The draw has helped our chances and also Invisible but I still think Oakleigh Girl is right in the race as her run the other day was very good and you have to respect Gai Waterhouse (Echo Gal, Cyclone) as she knows what is needed to win this race.''

Berry said his confidence in Unencumbered soared after he rode the youngster in his final fast workout at the Gold Coast before Saturday's big race.

"I'm glad I came up to ride him work because he galloped really well and I'm getting quite excited about our chances,'' Berry said.

"He's a very versatile colt so the barrier draw was crucial. It's an ideal draw.

"I'll need to do the form and discuss tactics with Bjorn but we won't be settling worse than midfield.

"I just don't want to be caught behind something that is not going to take us into the race.''

Baker said it has been a deliberate strategy to stable Unencumbered at the Gold Coast to familiarise the colt with the racetrack.

"He has been up there for more than three weeks and has had a couple of looks at the Gold Coast course proper,'' Baker added.

"I thought it was important for him to see the track so it won't be 'new' for him come Saturday.''

At Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday morning, Invisible galloped strongly to convince Team Hawkes he was ready for the Magic Millions before the colt's dream draw.

"We wanted between six and eight so we are thrilled with the seven barrier,'' co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

"Everything has gone to plan. He has trained on well since his Canterbury win and his work (yesterday) was very good.

"We didn't need to time his gallop - we know what he can do.''

Meanwhile, Sydney filly Sweet Idea (barrier 15) has been joined by Enquare (two) at the top of betting for the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas.

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE MAGIC MILLIONS? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.

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