Tuff Tu Mus on trial for Magic Millions carnival

By Glenn Davis

Caloundra trainer David Vandyke is hopeful Tuff Tu Mus can confirm plans to head to the Magic Millions carnival in January when the four-year-old returns to Doomben on Wednesday.

Tuff To Mus will be chasing a hat-trick of wins at his first test beyond 1350 metres when the four-year-old steps out in the Class 2 Handicap over 1650 metres.

The son of All Too Hard has been impressive winning at his past two starts at Doomben over 1350 metres and Vandyke is hopeful he will handle the extra trip.

“He’s a nice big horse who took a couple of runs to find his rhythm,” Vandyke said.

“His last two wins were exceptional and I want to step him up to 1600 metres to see how he goes over the trip while he’s down in class.

“He should get 1600 metres being by All Too Hard.”

Tuff Tu Miss finished second at his first two starts at the Sunshine Coast and Eagle Farm before breaking his maiden status leading all the way over 1350 metres at Doomben on October 9.

Premier jockey James Orman was aboard for his first win before Noel Callow rode him when he strolled home by more than four lengths in a 1350 metre Class 2 Handicap at Doomben on October 30.

Callow his retained the ride for his hat-trick chasing assignment.

Tuff Tu Miss stands at more than 16 hands and was a $140,000 buy at the Magic Millions June sales at the Gold Coast.

He is a half-brother to Caloundra mare Dovetail Diva, who has won three of her 14 starts, and finished fifth to King Of Sparta in the Magic Millions Guineas two years ago for the Melbourne Cup-winning partnership of John Symons and Sheila Laxon.

Vandyke is hopeful of aiming Tuff Tu Mus for the Magic Millions carnival.

“Once we get through this run on Wednesday, I’ll see how he pulls up before deciding whether he heads to the Magic Millions carnival,” Vandyke said.

“He’s a four-year-old so he’s not eligible for the two big features and the Magic Millions Cup could be a bit too soon for him.

“But, there’s a nice Class 4 race on at the Gold Coast the week before the Magic Millions.”

Vandyke was referring to the Magic Millions Rising Stars over 1300 metres at the Gold Coast on January 4.