By Glenn Davis
Trainer Annabel Neasham will join an elite group of female trainers to win the Magic Millions Classic if Empress Of Wonder or Excel D’or claim the $2 million feature at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
However, the barrier draw wasn’t kind in Neasham’s bid to win the race for the first time when Empress Of Wonder drew barrier 16 while Excel D’or drew gate 21.
Empress Of Wonder comes into gate 12 without the emergencies - the same barrier Sunlight jumped from to win the Magic Millions Classic in 2018 while Excel D’or will jump from 16.
Only three female trainers have won the Magic Millions Classic in its 36-year history and Neasham is hoping to add her name to the honour board with her two-pronged attack.
Gold Coast trainer Sally Rodgers won the inaugural Magic Millions Classic with Snippets in 1987 while Gai Waterhouse has won the race four times with Assertive Lad (2000), Excellerator (2001), Dance Hero (2004) and Driefontein (2012).
The only other successful female trainer was Gillian Heinrich with Military Rose in 2010.
Waterhouse, who co-trains with Adrian Bott, is chasing her fifth win this year with Royal Entrance (barrier nine), Platinum Jubilee (seven) and Summer Loving, who drew gate 10.
Peter and Paul Snowden had no luck with barriers for Sovereign Fund (17) and Godfather (20) but fared better with Empire Of Japan who drew gate 11.
In latest TAB markets, Empress Of Wonder is a $10 chance while Excel D’or is a $71 outsider behind $4.60 favourite Empire Of Japan.
Annabel Neasham's assistant trainer Todd Pollard wasn’t overly disappointed with Empress Of Wonder’s draw.
“Barrier six to eight would have been perfect and better than the rails draw for her,” Pollard said.
“It’s not a disastrous draw as she comes into 12 and there’s a lot of speed in the race so she should be able to get cover.
“We definitely wanted an inside draw for Excel D’or as she’s got brilliant gate speed.
“Excel D’or was a little disappointing last start and we’re not sure what we’ll do from that gate but we’ll be positive.”