Image: Steve Hart
Shalailed will be among a handful of young people at Randwick bidding to qualify for a Magic Millions pier
An outside fence that won’t prevent Shalaid’s contacts gives the pony its place in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at Gold Coast.
Coach John O’Shea confirmed the youngster would take his place in the Drinkwise Dish (1100m) at Randwick on Boxing Day despite approaching door 18 in field 14 plus six reserves.
The track is rated soft and storms are forecast in Sydney over the Christmas weekend, leading O’Shea to hope a wide draw could be in his favor.
“He’s going to run,” O’Shea said.
“We’ve had a bunch of rain (at Randwick) so it might not be a disadvantage.”
A $280,000 Magic Millions purchase, Shalailed is from Shalaa, son of Shaquero, the 2021 Classic winner.
His inexperience was evident on his debut at Warwick Farm as he hung around in the straight but still won an encouraging third to California Deeply.
Fireburn finished fourth in the same race and came out and won at Randwick last Saturday.
“His first run was amazing. He’s just a little lost and a bit green,” O’Shea said.
“He is a genuine two-year-old and we really wanted to qualify him.
“He’s one of those people that we’ve steadily brought along and I think as we get closer to Millions of Magic, he’ll start to really find his place in life. .”
Hugh Bowman, who won Magic Millions with Shaquero, partnered with Shalailed at Warwick Farm and has been with him.
In addition to the emergencies, 9 of the 14 runners in Sunday’s race are chasing their tickets into the January 15 feature – Shalailed, Command Approved, Hard To Say, Monastery, Narnia, We Rich Investor , Russian Conquest, Snitcat and Time To leave are all eligible Millions Magic.
*For existing customers only. 2nd Racing Bet. Except SA & WA. T&C is applicable. Responsible gambling.
