Far Too Easy on Magic Millions path after setback

By Glenn Davis

Murwillumbah trainer David McColm has long range plans to target next year’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with his star sprinter Far Too Easy after his summer grand final in next month’s Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast.

Far Too Easy returns to Brisbane racing on Saturday when he tackles the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm.

It will be his first start since a setback ruled him out of the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle.

The $1 million earner - Far Too Easy - was a $45,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales and has gone on to start 18 times for seven wins and five placings.

McColm believes Far Too Easy’s prize money tally of $1.17 million would be far greater had he not been the victim of a series of setbacks throughout his career.

“He’s been a very unlucky horse,” McColm said.

“He was supposed to run in The Hunter but he was facing the wrong way on the walker the day before the race and banged his head.

“A cut around his eye needed four stitches.”

McColm believes Far Too Easy has suffered a setback in each of his preparations and has been dogged with bad barriers most of his career.

“His last run was in The Kosciuszko when he drew 12 and he flew home for third,” McColm said.

“At his previous start he had top weight and the near outside barrier in The Ramornie and he flew home only to be beaten by a bob of the head.

“His sectionals that day for the last 600 metres were sensational and easily the fastest of the day.”

McColm has booked regular rider James Orman to again partner Far Too Easy in the Lough Neagh which will be his final dress rehearsal for the Magic Millions Cup.

“After the Magic Millions his target will be the Stradbroke,” he said.

“We tried to get into the Stradbroke this year but he was too lowly rated and missed the cut.

“He’s been a great horse but I’m 62 years of age now and I feel like I’m 72 with all the bad luck we’ve had.”

McColm feels Far Too Easy is going as good as ever and is confident of a strong showing in the Lough Neagh.

“He’s going super after the setback with the head injury,” he said.

“He’ll definitely be thereabouts but we would have preferred to run in The Hunter as a stepping stone into this race and the Magic Millions Cup.”

Apart from the head injury which ruled him out of The Hunter, Far Too Easy was the centre of high drama when flood waters raged around his Murwillumbah stable prior to the Country Championships at Randwick in April of last year.

McColm was distraught and feared the worst before Far Too Easy was rescued and sent to Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley to prepare for the Country Championships in which he later finished fourth.

“He’s also had a few blood issues and a stone bruise and a few other niggling injuries which has forced him out of some big races,” he said.