MY CALL: EXHILARATES V DUBIOUS. ONE OF THESE RUNNERS TO TAKE OUT THE MM 2YO CLASSIC

By David Fowler | Tuesday, January 8, 2019

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

I'm suggesting an equal stakes or a back and save betting plan on this Saturday's $2million Magic Millions at Aquis Park on the Gold Coast.

The confidence level is reasonable that either Exhilarates or Dubious will win the glamor juvenile event.

And with Exhilarates currently at $5.5 TAB fixed and Dubious at $6, you can back both for equal amounts or back one and save on the other.

I'm favoring Exhilarates slightly over Dubious.

The paths to the MM can be fraught with mis-steps but all the stars have aligned for this Snitzel filly.

Obviously a filly of talent from the outset, it all clicked in a race that has been an outstanding pointer to MM victories in recent years.

Le Chef (2015), Houtzen (2017) and Sunlight (2018) each won the 1100m Gold Coast race en route to the big dance a week later.

The blinkers going back on Exhilarates last Saturday worked ideally.

She travelled closer and travelled well. Her momentum increase over the last 100 metres was there for all too seem indicating the extra 100 metres of the MM will be an asset and not a drawback.

The map has been quite kind to her. A cell of speed drawn out is committed to push forward while there is sufficient pace on the the right to make the trio of Czarson, Betaima and Unite And Conquer use enough petrol to be vulnerable late.

Exhilarates was gifted a perfect one-out and one-back trip last Saturday and that's highly unlikely to be repeated in this bigger field that usually generates a fast tempo.

But the middle of the line marble should see her slot midfield with cover and if she turns up in the same frame of mind as last Saturday she will go close to collecting the main prize.

Dubious has got sufficient speed to land handy and his will to win impresses me. It was on display in the Breeders Plate at Randwick and, similarly, at Eagle Farm.

I can picture him grinding away at the forefront in the home straight but think Exhilarates might outsprint him.

Unite and Conqueur and Czarson can't be faulted on their unbeaten performances but it is highly unlikely that either can set up shop and control as has been the pattern to date.

You just don't get a chance in a hurry scurry affair like this one.

The Victorian Yes Yes Yes rates a mention.

A market player because of two Melbourne wins, he is likely to be near last from his outside barrier.

However blinkers will be used for the first time on Saturday, a gear change generally of strong significance.

His first go at the Gold Coast and his first go in the clockwise direction are other concerns.

Roughies rarely win the Magic Millions but if there was an outsider to bob up it might be Champagne Boom.

David Fowler