3 minute read

Racing in the west heads to Pinjarra on Saturday for the annual Magic Millions Raceday.

We've seen plenty of stars emerge at this Magic Millions meeting over the years. Valour Road, Sheeza Belter and Super Smink just to name a few.

Could we see a new up-and-coming star emerge this weekend?

Golden Vale is the $2 with bet365 at the time of writing and deservedly so.

Unbeaten in her two starts, she beat most of the rivals she'll face on Saturday a fortnight ago, with this race being the target since her debut victory.

Although untried at 1200m, her sectionals suggest she's not stopping at the end of the 1000m trip and being by Churchill is another indicator the extra journey won't be a problem.

Her main rival appears to be Sinful Living who meets the current favourite better at the weights after a 2 length defeat most recently, but it's hard to see her turning the tables on Golden Vale.

While I fancy Golden Vale in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, she is not my Best Bet of the card.

That comes up in Race 4 with PETULA off a big win in the Breeders' Classic at Bunbury a fortnight ago. 

She brings the best formlines into the event and was gritty when knuckling down to get past 3YO Trophy favourite Stormchaser close to the line.

While she's up in weight today, it's difficult to see anything being able to make the jump to beat her.

Sapphire Street was third in that same race, but Petula blew right by her and there was nothing in the sectionals to say the tempo suited one or the other.

Petula's previous peak rating came over 1300m at Belmont, and if she can improve on what she did last start then her rivals are in serious trouble.

We'll make my Next Best WITHOUT REG in the opener.

I'm surprised the Rhys Radford-trained gelding hasn't come up shorter in what looks a big drop in grade to what he's been up against of late.

The son of War Chant never got into the race at Ascot last start when getting a long way back from the wide draw, but this looks a vastly different set up on Saturday.

Back to a No Metro Wins Last Year and a better barrier can see this gelding be closer in the run, much like he was when running his best figures for the campaign two starts ago at Ascot.

While he rises in weight, he deserves to with the figures he ran in previous starts. Happy to forgive one bad effort with this scenario looking much better, and if he can bounce back to his prior form he's the one to beat.

The bet365 Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 4 Number 3 PETULA @ $2.70* with bet365.

Next Best: Race 1 Number 1 WITHOUT REG @ $5.50* with bet365.

*Prices correct as of 3:30pm, February 15th.

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