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After just missing as a two-year-old, Alpine Edge has a handy jockey replacement to help him go one better on Saturday’s Magic Millions race day.
Two of Alpine Edge's three career wins came as a two-year-old prior to running second in the 2021 Magic Millions 2yo Classic but he is set to jump favourite with James Mcdonald in the Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).
Alpine Edge was last seen at Toowoomba in the inaugural King Of The Mountain, running second to the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas favourite Yellow Brick, and Toby Edmonds, who trains in partnership with his son Trent, is hoping that form holds up.
"Our guy peeled off his back to beat him the other night and I thought he would beat him, and the horse was too good for him… I'll be cheering for him," Edmonds said.
The booking of James McDonald was unplanned, but certainly a welcome replacement in a disappointing situation, with regular jockey Martin Harley suffering a fractured neck after a horror fall at Doomben on Wednesday.
"Unlucky for Martin Harley, that he's fallen off because he's put a lot of work into the horse, luckily we were able to get James McDonald, drawn beautifully in one, he should get a beautiful run and run really well," Edmonds said.
After running second to Shaquero in the 2yo Classic, Alpine Edge missed the 2022 Magic Millions carnival, but all roads have led to the Gold Coast this preparation as the four-year-old comes into Saturday's race ready to peak.
"He was aimed at Magic Millions day, third-up we'd have him peaking, he ran super up there the other night and he's come on since so we're really confident he's in the right spot," Edmonds said.
Alpine Edge has been a well backed favourite for the $1 million race, opening as high as $4.20 with TAB and is now a $2.30 favourite, the equal second shortest horse on the ten-race card.
