More mature Goodfella for Guineas

Goodfella returns to the Gold Coast a more mature horse as he has a second attempt to win a $2 million race.

The colt ran fourth in last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic and will go into Saturday’s $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast as third favourite.

He earned his high ranking with a fast-finishing third behind Guineas favourite Pierata in the Group Three Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben two weeks ago.

Goodfella had a minor tie-back operation after the Magic Millions Classic and missed the Brisbane winter.

Trainer Bjorn Baker took him along slowly through the spring where he won two races in Sydney including the Listed Brian Crowley.

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Baker’s stable manager Jack Bruce said Goodfella had done well since his Vo Rogue run.

“Bjorn has always believed it has taken time for the penny to drop with him but when it does fully he is going to win a good race,” Bruce said.

“Goodfella has always had the natural ability to be a top horse and it was just a matter of getting his manners right.”

Goodfella has matured with travel and after winning the two races in Sydney in the spring he was taken to Melbourne where he finished midfield in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.

“It was always in Bjorn’s mind to bring him to the Gold Coast for another crack at a Magic Millions race. After all you only get one go at a $2 million Guineas,” Bruce said.

Baker’s impressive results in Queensland include the 2014 Magic Millions Classic with Unencumbered and the 2015 Doomben 10,000 with Music Magnate.