Brighton trainer Stuart Gandy’s successful season could continue when he saddles up favourite Happy Halloween in the $50,000 Tasmanian Magic Millions 3YO Classic at Mowbray on Wednesday night.
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Gandy is third on the premiership table with 22 wins but, more significantly, has a strike-rate of 21 percent – the best of any trainer who has had at least 100 runners.
Although Happy Halloween lives in the shadow of several more illustrious stablemates, bookmakers believe his moment in the sun has arrived and he is a clear Magic Millions favourite.
Ubet has the gelding at $3 in its opening fixed-odds market on the strength of a second two starts ago behind the promising Jo Anconi and a last-start maiden win.
Happy Halloween is raced by Victorian owner Graeme Gathercole who has had success in Tasmania in recent years, most notably with former Spreyton trainer Vicki Rhind.
One of their horses, Bel Price, won the Tasmanian Magic Millions 3YO Classic in 2012.
Gathercole paid $56,000 for Happy Halloween at the 2015 Magic Millions sale in Adelaide.
The gelding is by US import Congrats out of an Encosta De Lago mare.
Ubet rates Gemini ($4) as Happy Halloween’s main danger after she returned to form with a second to Leconte four weeks ago.
Kepta ($5.50), Mulley’s Idol ($6.50) and Scuttlebutt ($7) are also given good chances.
DERASA is a short-priced favourite for the $50,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic on what could be a big night for trainer Barry Campbell.
He also prepares Gemini and has favourite Siorca in the $25,000 Sydeston Night Cup.
Derasa is the only winner in the two-year-old field and has been racing in much stronger company, following a first-up victory over Il Regalo in the Alfa Bowl with a close second to Pateena Arena in the $100,000 Elwick Stakes.
With earnings of almost $38,000 from her three starts, Derasa has already repaid the $22,000 she cost at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale last year.
Her main danger could be the Gary White-trained first-starter Heaven’s Delight who won a Hobart barrier trial last week.
It could be a good omen that Heaven’s Delight’s mother, Heaven’s Choice, won her first start as a two-year-old.
The following season, Heaven’s Choice was placed twice at Sandown before returning to Mowbray to finish third behind Bel Price and Galibier in the Magic Millions 3YO Classic.
Victorian trainer Matthew Brown, who finished second last year with Miss Two Pairs, has first starter Skwosh engaged.
