3 minute read

Annabel Neasham’s impressive start to her career continued at Eagle Farm on Saturday as Queen Of Wizardry booked her ticket in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

After being baulked for a run 200m from home, Stephanie Thornton hooked the Not A Single Doubt filly to the outside, unleashing an impressive turn of foot to win in the final strides.

"Being by Not A Single Doubt she was always going to hit the line well and with such a big stride, we knew she definitely would want further," Thornton said.

"I was in a bit of trouble halfway down the straight. I just needed a bit of daylight and although I had the back of Ranch Hand  he didn't take me where I wanted to go.

"Once I got to the outside she just let down brilliantly."

Following the scratching of expected leaders Illiciate Affairs and Portabello Road, there looked to be a lack of speed, however, that was quickly reversed as Du Maurier, Princess Bojack and Golden Eighty set a strong pace up front.

"On paper it looked as though the main speed had come out but whether or not that got into a few people's heads thinking we should go forward," Thornton said.

"She jumped well but didn't have the speed to go with them, but with the speed up front we ended up getting the perfect run.

"She certainly didn't act like a two-year-old. She knew what she was doing and she will only get better."

Immediately wound in from $201 to $15 with TAB for the Magic Millions, Queen Of Wizardry  is set to take her place in the $2 million feature as long as she pulls up well.

Going down as $1.40 favourite, Ranch Hand's Magic Millions campaign is seemingly over after he failed to justify his short quote, finishing third despite having every chance.

The loss continued a frustrating week for Chris Waller's juveniles in Queensland after Ranch Hand's stablemate Shaquero  suffered a heavy defeat as hot favourite last weekend in the B.J. McLachlan last weekend.