Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
When the Magic Millions Raceday was abandoned after the second race, a host of interstate raiders were forced to go back to the drawing board after it was announced that the action would be shifted to Thursday instead.
Being suddenly made to wait five days with horses primed for Saturday’s feature meeting is far from ideal for the horses, but the biggest problem would appear to be in the timing. With the rain unabating on the Gold Coast last Saturday, the last-minute change of plans was the biggest hurdle according to Annabel Neasham’s Assistant Trainer Todd Pollard.
Todd Pollard | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Pollard, who runs Neasham’s Eagle Farm operation, told TDN AusNZ that the first thing to address was arranging a morning of gallops on Sunday, allowing the horses to blow off a little steam and stretch their legs.
The Neasham team have two entries in the $2 million R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, namely G3 BJ McLachlan S. second Excel D’Or (Exceed And Excel) and Listed Calaway Gal runner-up Empress Of Wonder (Choisir). They also have Holyfield (I Am Invincible) aimed at the $1 million Magic Millions Cup and West Of Africa (Snitzel) setting as an emergency for the $2 million R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Pollard explained that with such high-class horses and huge prizemoney on the line the availability of a top-class grass gallop was their first priority.
Gallery: Annabel Neasham's Magic Millions Raceday runners
“It was a little bit tricky having to organise things on a Saturday afternoon to gallop on a Sunday,” he said. “We weren’t able to get access to the Course Proper at Eagle Farm as they weren’t able to get a paramedic on site.
“Luckily we were able to get out to Hinterland instead, which we use as a pre-training facility. They’ve got a great grass track so we were able to gallop on a Sunday which was definitely our preference.
“There was a lot of organising - floats, riders, gear, all the rest - it’s not ideal trying to get them out there but we got it done and hopefully it works in our favour.”
It might seem counterintuitive, but as Pollard explained, the high tempo of racing at this time of year as horses seek to qualify for lucrative races means that Saturday’s abandonment might have worked to their advantage in this case.
“I suppose it’s going to affect different horses in different ways… One of our fillies was on the quick back-up of a week so allowing her the extra time to get through the run has been beneficial.
“I suppose it’s going to affect different horses in different ways… One of our fillies was on the quick back-up of a week so allowing her the extra time to get through the run has been beneficial.” - Todd Pollard
“Then, one of our horses was probably looking for an extra gallop heading into the race after a freshen up, so it worked well for a horse like that too.
“You can look at it both ways, but you’ve got to be positive about it and look on the bright side.”
Another advantage that Pollard explained is that, where some of their runners might normally be campaigned from their Warwick Farm base, having a stable at Eagle Farm means there’s certain essentials which they don’t have to worry about.
Annabel Neasham | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Annabel talks about the benefit of having a stable here… Even just the little things like feed, I think that’s probably a thing that might affect trainers that were planning to only stay here until Monday.
“Having our Eagle Farm base has been of massive benefit to us.”
Additional challenges for visitors
The same can't be said for Peter and Paul Snowden, whose Queensland visit is only temporary. Amongst a host of intended runners they send three into the 2-year-old feature, including the favoured G3 Breeders’ Plate winner Empire Of Japan (Snitzel).
Empire Of Japan | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Speaking to TDN AusNZ, co-trainer Paul Snowden echoed Pollard’s sentiment on the unfortunate timing of Saturday’s abandonment:
“It was only hard because it was Saturday night that we had to start organising everything.”
Having first set about extending accommodation for staff during a busy time for hospitality on the Gold Coast, Snowden said that when it comes to the horses it’s far from an unknown challenge.
“This is not the first time this has happened, we’ve met this challenge three or four times over the last few years in Sydney,” he said.
“This is not the first time this has happened, we’ve met this challenge three or four times over the last few years in Sydney.” - Paul Snowden
“Everyone’s in the same boat so no one's at any disadvantage. Everyone has to go back home, everyone has to reset, everyone has to go again.”
