Gotta Kiss stakes early claim for Millions

Classy filly Gotta Kiss lived up to the hype and emerged as a genuine Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender after a dominant Eagle Farm win.

Bought for $150,000 at this year’s Magic Millions sales, Gotta Kiss, the $3 favourite, won the TAB 2YO Fillies Plate (1000m) by 2-1/2 lengths.

Trainer Steve O’Dea hasn’t settled on a lead-up program for Gotta Kiss leading up to the Millions at the Gold Coast in January.

“I haven’t really thought past today in terms of what we do, whether she has another run now or a let-up,” he said.

“We’ll need a little bit more prize money to make sure she gets a start in the Millions but that’s definitely our aim.”

Winning apprentice Steph Thornton positioned Gotta Kiss midfield before angling the daughter of Not A Single Doubt to the outside on the home turn.

“I was very confident coming to the turn knowing what I had underneath me,” Thornton said.

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“She’s a very big striding filly and takes a little bit to go through her gears but I was able to ask her to pick the winner up without letting her off the bridle,” Thornton said.

“The last 300m when I asked her to extend, she hit the line beautifully.”

Gotta Kiss’s time of 57.76 was 0.26 seconds faster than another Millions contender, Kavak, clocked one race later winning the Souths Sports Club Plate.

Chris Munce is eyeing his first win as a trainer in the Magic Millions, a race he won three times as a jockey aboard Sunblazer, Excellerator, and Dance Hero.

“He’s a really good colt and been a natural from day one,” Munce said.

“From the day we got him from the breakers he’s taken everything in his stride and nothing fazes him.”

Kavak ($13), a $145,000 buy, won by a length from Tumbler Ridge ($3.60) with Mishani Epic ($41) 2-1/4 lengths away third.

The $2.80 favourite Remorseless was trapped three wide without cover throughout before finishing sixth.