Tony Gollan shores up Magic Millions team with Lockyer as Hi Barbie’s heart returns to normal rhythm

Tony Gollan will make a decision on Monday as to what the future holds for one-time Magic Millions fancy Hi Barbie, while he is looking to secure Lockyer’s spot in the race by winning at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Trenton Akers

2 min read

December 23, 2024 - 6:30AM

Tony Gollan is weighing up his options for his two-year-old team. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography.

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Tony Gollan will look to bolster his Magic Millions team on Saturday, with Lockyer aiming to secure his spot in the $3m 2YO Classic by winning at Eagle Farm.

The 11-time champion trainer scratched him from the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes on the weekend after drawing wide but says he will have to run well in the 2YO Handicap (1200m) this Saturday to justify a trip to the Gold Coast.

Gollan has a high opinion of the horse, but he is yet to put it together on the track.

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“He probably needs to win or run second to get into the Millions, the bottom line is that he needs another run after the way he went the other week,” Gollan said.

“You have to win or run second in that race to be a genuine chance in at Magics anyway.

“He should have won his first start, it was just the way it panned out and they gapped the rest of them.

“Bad barriers are hard to overcome when you are a young horse like he is, if we can draw low, he will enhance his chances a lot.”

Gollan was looking at potentially a four-strong team in the Magic Millions as he chases his second win in the 2YO Classic, however was dealt an “uppercut” when top seed Hi

Barbie suffered cardiac arrhythmia and dropped out badly in the BJ McLachlan.

Hi Barbie’s heart is back in rhythm after her torrid run in the BJ McLachlan on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

• Maher masterstroke has third Magic Millions within reach

With her heart back in a regular rhythm by Saturday night, Gollan said a decision would be made on Monday as to whether or not they push on to Magic Millions.

Formula Rossa and La Bella Boom are all but assured of a Magic Millions start, with Gollan set to run Formula Rossa against Lockyer on Saturday as he plots his path towards January 11.

“I was keen not to run her (Formula Rossa) and possibly just trial her before the Magic Millions, but I am not sure on ballot order,” Gollan said.

“La Bella Boom, she will trial on Monday and run the week before (in the Gold Pearl), I want to back her up because it will suit her.”

It comes as the horse that beat Lockyer, Strawberry Smash, suffered a minor injury in the paddock while spelling after her first-up win, which has ruled her out of the Magic Millions.

Formula Rossa along with Hi Barbie are rated $26 chances in betting for the Magic Millions, while La Bella Boom and Lockyer are $51.

Originally published as Tony Gollan shores up Magic Millions team with Lockyer as Hi Barbie’s heart returns to normal rhythm