Miss Hellfire set to dispell any Magic Millions doubts

By Glenn Davis

Sydney’s father and son training partnership of Peter and Paul Snowden hope a placing in the Aquis Gold Pearl at the Gold Coast on Saturday will be enough for talented filly Miss Hellfire to sneak into next week’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Miss Hellfire is currently 23rd in order of entry with only $36,750 in prizemoney for the $2 million feature over 1200 metres.

However, with a number of dropouts already announced, Miss Hellfire is on the borderline of making the 16-horse Magic Millions field but can guarantee her spot if placed in the 1100-metre Gold Pearl.

Miss Hellfire made her debut with a strong second to the Annabel Neasham-trained Soaring Ambition in the Magic Millions at Wyong on December 15.

“It was an outstanding run,” Paul Snowden said.

“She was up on the speed all the way and only just got beaten when she was caught late.

“She probably only needs a place on Saturday to get over the line for the Magic Millions.”

A daughter of Hellbent, Miss Hellfire cost $60,000 at the Magic Millions yearling sales and showed her potential early with two barrier trials wins at Randwick prior to her Wyong debut.

Miss Hellfire - a Ben Thompson mount - faces her moment of truth in the Aquis Gold Pearl, which has attracted a strong field including unbeaten Exo Lady and Tony Gollan’s highly rated Honey Pot.

Honey Pot is first emergency and needs to gain a start and win the Gold Pearl to secure a Magic Millions Classic start.

Miss Hellfire is a $34 chance in latest TAB markets for the Magic Millions Classic behind $1.70 favourite Coolangatta.

The Snowden’s have been regular visitors to the Magic Millions carnival over the years, and won the two-year-old feature in 2016 with star sprinter Capitalist.

“We won it with Capitalist and also ran second to Away Game with Stellar Pauline in 2020,” Snowden said.

Capitalist went on to claim the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill that year before being retired to stud with four wins and two placings from seven starts and more than $3.5 million in prizemoney.

Snowden hasn’t ruled out Miss Hellfire aiming for the Group 1 Blue Diamond in Melbourne and Group 1 Golden Slipper in Sydney after her Magic Millions campaign.

“She’s nominated for all the big races like the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper but it’ll be one run at a time with her,” he said.

Capitalist (2016), Phelan Ready (2009) and Dance Hero (2004) are the only horses who have completed the Magic Millions Classic-Golden Slipper double.