By Glenn Davis
Trainer Chris Anderson has warned Rough Habit Plate winner Ballistic Boy won’t be at his peak when he launches his Magic Millions campaign at Doomben on Saturday.
Ballistic Boy will be ridden by Matt McGillivray when he resumes in the 1350-metre Open Quality.
McGillivray will be a stand-in rider for Brad Stewart who rode Ballistic Boy when he gave Anderson his biggest win as a trainer in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate at Eagle Farm in June.
“Ballistic Boy is the lowest rated horse in the race which means Matt will ride him as Brad can’t ride 54kgs,” Anderson said.
Anderson has no great expectations with Ballistic Boy in his first appearance since his Rough Habit victory.
The four-year-old has barrier trialled twice ahead of his comeback, finishing second over 1000 metres at Doomben on October 6 before winning a 1200-metre trial at the Sunshine Coast on October 20.
“He won the Caloundra trial quite well when he came from behind,” Anderson said.
“He’s been in work about three months and is going well but I’m not expecting too much from him first-up.
“It’s a nice race for him to start off his campaign for the Magic Millions but I expect he’ll get back and will be running on late.
“He’s not at his top yet and I don’t expect to see him peaking until a lot closer to the Magic Millions.”
Anderson is aiming Ballistic Boy for the $1 million Magic Millons Subzero (2400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
“He’ll get better with every run and I don’t want him peaking until around January - just before the race,” Anderson said.
Ballistic Boy was a $100,000 buy as a yearling and has earned more than $330,000 in prizemoney so far with four wins and five placings from 14 starts.