Deep Field colt ready for Gold Nugget challenge in bid for Magic Millions berth
Speedster Verbal Assault (Deep Field) has the class to take a quantum leap towards a Magic Millions berth by winning the $125,000 Gold Nugget (1100m) at the Gold Coast today.
That is the firm belief of country NSW trainer Matt Dunn, who has meticulously mapped out Verbal Assault’s campaign to culminate with the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) on January 11.
Verbal Assault is currently equal 49th in the order of entry for the juvenile feature and needs to collect the $72,500 winner’s cheque in today’s colts and geldings division to ensure a start.
The colt is facing a mammoth rise in grade after his all-the-way win on debut in a four-runner field worth $22,000 at his home track of Murwillumbah on December 13.
“This is the direction we have been heading all along with the Magic Millions in mind,” Dunn said.
“The whole idea was to go across the road (at Murwillumbah) so he was not overtaxed first-up and then space his races into the Gold Nugget the week before the Millions.
“He was really impressive on debut and if he can get the cash at his second run he deserves his spot in the race.
“He’s drawn wide (barrier 12) on Saturday but hopefully he has the speed to get across early for Hugh (Bowman).”
Dunn combined with agent Neil Jenkinson to pick up Verbal Assault for $130,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“He was on our list and we thought he was the right type of horse for that money,” Dunn said.
“Looking back he was a bargain… the way the Deep Field breed is going at the moment we would be very unlikely to get one for that price this year.
“He has great strength – his physique is perfect for racing week-to-week, which is what we are hoping to do for the Magic Millions.”
Deep Field (Northern Meteor) is second only to Rubick (Encosta De Lago) on the Australian second season sires list by prize-money, boasting two stakes winners and more than $2 million in stakes earnings.
Verbal Assault is from Words Are Weapons (Dubawi) and hails from the family of Group 2 winner and Goodwood Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) placegetter Danabaa (Anabaa).
Dark Son will fly the flag for his boom Lyndhurst Stud-based sire Better Than Ready (More Than Ready) in the Gold Nugget.
The $130,000 purchase at the Magic Millions March sales also requires a win to push his way into the 2YO Classic field as he currently sits 29th in the ballot.
Dark Son made an impact at his first run by leading all the way in the Pat O’Shea 2YO Plate (1000m) at Toowoomba on September 28 before finishing fifth at Eagle Farm on October 12 at his only subsequent appearance.
“If he runs in the Millions is all very good but there are a stack of other races for him,” co-trainer Tony Sears said.
“But I do know you will see a far more mature horse. He was all over the place with nerves when we took him to Brisbane in October and I reckon that trip will have been a big benefit.
“He has had a couple of jump-outs and gone really well so he is ready for Saturday.”
Better Than Ready was represented by four runners in last year’s edition of the 2YO Classic and has a strong hand in the Gold Pearl 2YO Fillies (1100m) at the Gold Coast meeting today with debut winner She’s A Tigress as well as first starters Better Rush and Miss Rhapsody.
Miss Rhapsody and Dark Son are stablemates at Toowoomba under the care of Sears and his daughter Maddysen.
Newgate Farm’s Deep Field, who is the leading second season sire by winners, has 20 yearlings catalogued at the Magic MIllions Gold Coast Yearling Sale while Better Than Ready, second by the same measure on the sires’ premiership, has 12 lots on offer.