River Racer starts Magic Millions build-up

Glasshouse Handicap winner River Racer will make her return to racing at the Gold Coast.

Eagle Farm trainer Les Ross is inclined to resist the temptation to chase a wet track in Sydney for River Racer and instead give her a steady build-up to the Magic Millions carnival.

River Racer will make her return to racing without a barrier trial in $105,000 at the Gold Coast.

It will be her first run since winning the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on June 29.

As is the case with many of the offspring of her sire Hidden Dragon, River Racer is a superior horse on wet tracks.

However, Ross is resigned to the fact it will be a good track on Saturday.

Southeast Queensland has not had heavy rain this month and fine weather is again forecast for the remainder of the week.

“It would be nice for more reasons than one to get some decent rain but that doesn’t appear likely,” Ross said.

“She has won a few times on good tracks and her first-up record is also handy. But when you go against a good field like Saturday you probably need an edge.”

Ross said it was tempting to head to Sydney for the spring but that was unlikely at the moment.

“It is usually wet around carnival time in Sydney and I think the class would be no worry,” he said.

“But really the Magic Millions carnival (in January ) looks to have more options.

“There is a $1 million fillies and mares and a $1 million QTIS race which would suit.

“And there is also plenty of money in the Brisbane summer carnival.”

River Racer has won only five races but collected $528,000 in prize money along the way.

“There is a simple reason for that. Her owner has always wanted to race her in big prize money races,” Ross said.

“I probably could have won a dozen races with her in easier events but then again she wouldn’t have won anywhere near the prize money.

“She was Stakes placed at her second race start as a two year old so she has always been a black-type performer.”