In-form stable Shooting For Gold

By Mandy Cottell

The O'Dea-Hoysted stable will rely on talented sprinter Shooting For Gold in the Listed Magic Millions Falvelon at Doomben after scratching stablemate Contemptuous due to a wide draw.

While Contemptuous will now go to next month's Magic Millions raceday without another run, Shooting For Gold will use Saturday's 1200-metre event as his final lead-up to the Gold Coast carnival on January 14.

The ultra-consistent gelding has missed a top-five finish just three times in 21 starts and boasts an outstanding record at Doomben where he has won three of his four appearances and finished runner-up in the other.

"He should probably be unbeaten there, the time he did get beaten he was dreadfully unlucky from a wide gate," co-trainer Matthew Hoysted said.

A multiple stakes performer, Shooting For Gold made a typically bold return when he just failed to reel in Sneaky Five in the Bribie Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm.

It was an effort with plenty of merit and Hoysted said the five-year-old would strip significantly fitter.

"He laboured a touch under the 59 kilos, it took him that extra 50 or 100 metres to wind up," Hoysted said.

"Once he got through his gears and got to that top speed, he savaged the line and he only needed one more hop and he would have won.

"He has bounced through that run in tremendous order. He has improved fitness-wise.

"It's a tricky gate so he's going to need an ounce of luck early to get in and get cover but if he can, he will be steaming late."

Shooting For Gold has drawn barrier nine in the capacity field of 16 and is on the second line of betting at $5 behind equal favourites King Of Sparta and Garibaldi.

Hoysted revealed the gelding is being considered for a hit-and-run raid on the Oakleigh Plate in Melbourne, pending his performances at his next two Queensland starts.

"We will be guided by how he goes Saturday and Magic Millions day. There is the option to have one run in Melbourne or give him a short break and set him for the winter here," he said.

Speedy filly Miss Coota remains a solid $2.40 favourite to maintain her perfect record in the Group 3 B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) with leading Victorian hoop Craig Williams enticed north for the ride.

The youngster has won her only two starts by a combined total of almost 13 lengths and at $9 she is considered Queensland's leading chance for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m).