Odds comparison and tips for Magic Millions 2YO Classic

THE $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic is one of the two featured races this Saturday at the Gold Coast and we have updated odds, form and our best tips for the race.

The 2YO Classic has been a popular race for punters since its introduction as the sprint distance always offers an exciting affair.

The maximum field continues local Queensland hopes and also runners from the big Sydney and Melbourne stables which will be looking to head home with the riches.

2017 Magic Millions 2YO Classic market

[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1128218_08]

The barrier draw has caused havoc in the betting for the 2YO Classic. Houtzen was the well-backed favourite since it debuted in December, but drawing barrier 21 has seen its price drift from $2.60 to $4.40.

The Toby Edmonds-trained filly continues to drift in the market and in-form jockey Jeff Lloyd will need to produce a stellar ride to get the job done.

The money has come for both From Within ($4) and Our To Keep ($5.50) which have firmed in due to the easing of Houtzen.

From Within is the current favourite after receiving barrier seven and Ours To Keep has drawn ideally in barrier four for Chris Munce and jockey Damian Browne.

There have been no runners specked at long odds as punters are firmly focused on the well-fancied runners.

Magic Millions 2YO Classic betting guide and tips

Below are our top five winning chances. The favourites all look tough to beat, but the Magic Millions 2YO Classic can throw in the odd upset.

After mapping out the 1200m race, we’ve settled firmly on one runner which should come as no surprise to punters.

13. From Within

Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Form: 1
Barrier: 7
Best odds: $4 at Palmerbet.com.au

Punters have come for From Within strongly after the barrier draw, but we expected the money to come for the two-year-old regardless of its barrier.

The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Not A Single Doubt couldn’t have been more impressive on debut when winning by 1.3 lengths over race-rival Invader.

Jockey Glyn Schofield eased the talented filly down in the run to the line, so the winning margin would have been more impressive and it was never tested after jumping well from the barrier.

Hugh Bowman takes over the riding which can only be seen as a positive and it’s good gate speed will ensure it settles on the pace – which is vital in the Magic Millions.

It has had only one run, which hasn’t been a good formula in the past, but we’re not doubting the training ability of Chris Waller.

1. Ours To Keep

Trainer: Chris Munce
Jockey: Damian Browne
Form: 111
Barrier: 4
Best odds: $6.50 at Bet365.com

Chris Munce lines up unbeaten colt Ours To Keep which hasn’t done anything wrong in three career starts to date.

The son of Seidnazar was a 4.3-length winner on debut before winning the Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben second up by just under a half-length.

It received a good trip in transit in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm when beating race-rival Goodfella by 1.8 lengths. That win suggested it’s good enough to run well in the Magic Millions Classic and the bookmakers have been forced to trim its odds in the market.

Drawing barrier four will see it land on the speed and Damian Browne knows how to ride in the big races. $5.50 on offer is a good quote from the bookmakers and the $2.15 for the place at Sportsbet is worth taking.

8. Madeenaty

Trainer: Hayes/Dabernig
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Form: 131
Barrier: 1
Best odds: $8 at CrownBet.com.au

Madeenaty has been the overlooked runner in the market at $8. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained filly is capable of running quick times as it has already shown to date.

Its debut win at Flemington in the Maribyrnong Trail was an effortless 2.25-length victory. It ran 56.59 for the 1000m distance and although it wasn’t able to win the Ottawa Stakes a month later, it didn’t have the run to suit.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel was stuck on the inside at Flemington which wasn’t the place to be – meanwhile the eventual winner and $7.50 chance Invincible Star was in the right part of the track.

It then won the Magic Millions at Wyong where it wasn’t overly impressive, but it got the job done at $1.90 and punters are getting much better odds for this. It will find the lead from the inside draw and be tough to run down.

5. Falconic

Trainer: Gary Portelli
Jockey: Koby Jennings
Form: 31
Barrier: 8
Best odds: $31 at Bet365.com

There was nothing wrong with the performance of Falconic at Rosehill last start to warrant its odds of $31.

Trainer Gary Portelli is in good form with his juveniles and this two-year-old son of Nicconi relished the 1200m distance last start. It sat near the tail of the field before pouncing in the straight and clearing away for an easy victory.

It didn’t beat much in behind and its debut performance was a placing behind race-rival and $26 chance Chauffeur, but it has strengthened with racing and it looks a solid each way chance at $31 with Bet365.com.

11. Houtzen

Trainer: Toby Edmonds
Jockey: Jeff Lloyd
Form: 11
Barrier: 21
Best odds: $4.40 at Sportsbet.com.au

We’re not going to leave out the best horse in the field simply because of a wide barrier draw. Houtzen has shown a slick ability to sprint and it could well fly the barriers and lead the field.

If it does happen to find a spot on the rail or one-off the fence, it will be very tough to beat given its form this season.

The outstanding son of I Am Invincible won by four lengths on debut at Doomben before easing down for a 4.5-length win last start on this track. That track experience is huge as the Gold Coast isn’t the easiest track for horses to adjust to.

Jeff Lloyd is riding in great form, but this will be one of his toughest career challenges. The drifting odds have given punters great value and it would take a brave punter to rule out the once dominating favourite.

2017 Magic Millions 2YO Classic predicted finishing order

1st – From Within
2nd – Madeenaty
3rd – Ours To Keep
4th – Houtzen
5th – Falconic
6th – Invincible Star
7th – Chauffeur
8th – Goodfella
9th – Madame Moustache
10th – Champ Elect
11th – Cellargirl
12th – Bring It Home Pop
13th – Real Princess
14th – Arrestar
15th – Invader
16th – Colosimo