Bart Sinclair's Preview - Moët & Chandon Derby Raceday

 
Premiership trainer Tony Gollan feels lightly raced Refero has just one obstacle to overcome to prove his Magic Millions credentials at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Refero resumed after a mid-year spell – and a gelding operation – with a stunning win in a Class sprint over 1000 metres at the Sunshine Coast on October 20.

The I Am Invincible three-year-old sat just behind the pace and exploded in the final 300 metres to set up a big margin and very slick time.

“I think he has come back the real deal this campaign. I probably should have gelded him earlier,’’ Gollan said.

“I’ve always had a big opinion of this horse. He’s eligible for the Magic Millions and that’s where we are headed.

“I think the only risk this week is how he handles the Eagle Farm track. I ran him here over the winter and he didn’t perform too well.

“But he had a setback leading up to that race and he is a different horse now after the gelding.”

With Ryan Maloney sitting out today on a short suspension Stephanie Thornton is stepping in as a replacement.

Training partners Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted gave some brief consideration to switching to a claiming apprentice for Refero’s principal opponent Stellar Magic but stuck with Baylee Nothdurft who is in red hot form.

“Stellar Magic is a filly with a high head carriage and she can be awkward to ride. Baylee rides her a lot in trackwork and she responds well for him,’’ Hoysted said.

Stellar Magic’s stablemate Better Get Set has been scratched from the final event after suffering a slight injury.

“It’s just enough to stop Better Get Set racing for a few weeks. She will go out for a short break and then get back to the racetrack in early January.

Her absence has forced the pre-post price for Gollan’s Salateen to tumble to $2.80.

Salateen was slow to jump when third as a short priced favorite at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago. She previously scored easily first up at Eagle Farm on September 26.