Punters diving into Single Bullet to win the 2017 Magic Millions 2YO Classic should heed the words of trainer Gary Portelli.
Gary Portelli is concerned he may only have the single bullet to fire with his smart colt.
“My gut feeling is he won’t run,” Portelli said.
Single Bullet is currently on the cusp of gaining a start in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic on January 14 at the Gold Coast, but Portelli’s hand has been forced to run his talented Not A Single Doubt colt at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
“He’s definitely running on Saturday,” Portelli said.
“It’s a gilt-edged sword because if I don’t run I am likely to get leap frogged but if I do run I don’t think he’s the type to cope with the back-up.”
Single Bullet turned in an eye-catching run when debuting in the Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m), flashing into second place behind Madeenaty after missing the start.
An $11 chance with Sportsbet to win the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Single Bullet is $1.50 to take out the first race at Warwick Farm on Saturday – the Happy 2017 2YO Handicap (1200m).
“It’s $54,000 to the winner which gets us into the field but he’s only lightly framed and this is his first preparation,” Portelli said.
“He’ll need to win in a canter and pull up well to head north.”
Portelli’s optimistic about the future though, already eyeing off the autumn riches.
“If he wins on Saturday the prizemoney would help qualify him for the Golden Slipper,” he said.
“We would freshen him up then find a lead-up into the Slipper and I actually think he would make a perfect Sires’ Produce horse.”
The Warwick Farm-based trainer is having a great run with his two-year-olds this season, She Will Reign an equal $8 favourite for the Golden Slipper whilst Falconic ($21) is confirmed a start in the Magic Millions Classic.
“Falconic is going enormous,” Portelli said. “He’s in really good order and whilst I would rate She Will Reign and Single Bullet above him at this stage of their careers, he’s earned his spot.”
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