Trainer Ryan Hill will be eyeing off a lucrative Magic Millions double at Pinjarra on Saturday, with representation in the two and three-year-old races.
As well as the $250,000 on offer in both features, Hill’s four runners in across the two races are all eligible for the WA racing women’s bonus.
Hill will saddle up London’s Image, Smart Shadow and possible Queen Of Whispers in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m).
He will also have last start winner Guarding Heaven start in the Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Trophy (1200m).
London’s Image, named after Hill’s niece, shapes up as the best of the trio in the two-year-old event and has built a solid record of one win and two placings from four starts.
Hill said he was wrapped with the job the Headwater filly had done this campaign and admitted he couldn’t believe his luck when purchasing her at last year’s Adelaide Magic Millions sale.
“Obviously it’s very had to buy a horse whose mum is a full sister to a Group 1 winner,” Hill told The Races WA.
“I got her for $20,000 and I actually panicked when I brought her and thought ‘how have I got her for that’.
“She’s paid her way and she does excite me because that family generally don’t go as well as two-year-olds.
“I would love to get some blacktype on her.”
London’s Image broke through for her first win at her third start last month, having finished a creditable second in the first two-year-old race of the season last October.
After her breakthrough win, the filly was a beaten favourite at Pinjarra.
Hill said he encouraged punters to be forgiving of the last start defeat.
“She’s done nothing wrong, and the plan has always been to get her ready for this race and the ladies bonus,” he said.
“I was umming and ahhing whether to back her up in that race at Pinjarra.
“She just got a bit lost in front and laid out.
“The barrier has worked in our favour and the other main chances have drawn wide.”
Smart Shadow finished fourth behind London’s Image in her most recent start at Ascot, while Queen Of Whispers will make her debut if she gains a start.
Hill said he expected both fillies to be better with racing.
“Smart Shadow was a late foal, so she will have this run and then go to the paddock,” he said.
“It’s more excitement for Maddison (Wilson) to go to the races as an owner of a horse in a big race.
“There’s also a heap of owners in Queen Of Whispers.
“I’ve even got my farrier’s wife and my breaker’s wife in the horse and they’re all excited about her possibly getting a start.”
London’s Image is a $15 chance with TABtouch for the two-year-old event, while her stablemates are both $101.
Guarding Heaven also holds a special place in Hill’s stable as the first purchase he made at a yearling sale.
The filly ran seventh as a two-year-old in the Magic Millions and heads into the three-year-old edition off the back of a win on Boxing Day at Pinjarra.
Guarding Heaven’s Boxing Day win followed her runner-up performance at Belmont just two days earlier.
Hill said the addition of the women’s bonus on offer in the three-year-old race this year was a key factor in keeping Guarding Heaven in work.
“I was going to tip her out after Boxing Day, but I looked at it said we will go this way and have a crack with the bonus on offer,” he said.
“I can’t thank Lyn Sayers enough because she’s been so helpful to me, and she came in 50 per cent of this horse with me.
“Brad (Parnham) going back on is a massive help because he knows the horse and she’s not easy to ride.
“Brad’s wife Sarah is also in the ownership, so it’s great they get a second crack at the bonus.
“Hopefully she can play a part with a bit of luck.”
Guarding Heaven is a $20 chance with TABtouch, while Stormchaser has been a heavily backed $1.75 favourite.