Tony Gollan’s Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic bound youngster Ef Troop shapes up as the juvenile to beat in the Phelan Ready Stakes 2017 at Doomben Racecourse this weekend.
Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan saddles-up Magic Millions Classic contender Ef Troop in the 2017 Phelan Ready Stakes field in Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello.
A host of two-year-olds eyeing a shot at the Restricted Listed $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 13 do battle across the black-type Doomben races on Saturday.
A diminutive field of just five colts and geldings are engaged in the first of the Magic Millions lead-up races in Brisbane, the $100,000 Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1100m).
In a wide-open Phelan Ready Stakes betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au all but one of the hopefuls are under $10 for the win including Ef Troop who is installed as the equal $2.90 favourite with Crockett.
Well-bred Spirit Of Boom gelding Ef Troop won his debut at the track over 1050m on November 4 and has enjoyed a subsequent Gold Coast trial win over 1000m at the start of the month to bring him on fitness wise.
Looking to remain undefeated, the up-and-comer reunites with the in-form Queensland hoop Matthew McGillivray and jumps from barrier two.
Ef Troop is also the shortest priced of the horses in the Phelan Ready Stakes field in futures Magic Millions 2YO Classic 2018 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $11 to take out the summer classic.
Drawn the rails on the weekend and the other non-maiden in the mix is the Tony McEvoy-trained Crockett.
Jamie Kah rides the All American colt who is a $15 shot in all-in Magic Millions Gold Coast Classic odds for next month.
Crockett won his debut over 1000m at Morphettville in South Australia back in early October and also trialled at the Gold Coast on December 9 finishing fourth to Snicki Minaj in his 900m heat.
Commissioner is considered the other Phelan Ready Stakes danger on Saturday, the unraced Stratum colt representing Sydney’s Peter & Paul Snowden.
An impressive trial winner over 845m at Wyong on December 4, Commissioner gets the chance to bring that form to the races and is the $3.50 third elect on Saturday.
He is also listed in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic markets at $21, a price set to firm if he can come out and beat the already-tried horses on the weekend.
Rounding out the Phelan Ready Stakes field and odds this summer are early market mover Rains Aplenty ($8) and Doss ($11) drawn in barrier four and three respectively.
Toowoomba trainer John Zielke saddles-up Manhattan Rain colt Rains Aplenty who has had three career starts for three third place finishes.
The perennial placegetter was last seen running behind Blue Book over 1100m at Doomben on November 11, while Saturday’s roughie hope Doss is on debut for Barry Lockwood with a lead-up trial for the Sebring colt.
See below for the full Phelan Ready Stakes 2017 field and betting odds, prices courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au who also have the top early Magic Millions Race Day odds available for next month.
