We kick off the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast with the $3 million 3YO Sunlight Plate being the feature race. Weather is expected to be mostly fine and sunny with a top of 30 degrees and the chance of a shower. The track should be rated a Good 4 with the rail in the true position throughout. The first race kicks off at 3.05pm AEDT.
Shannon Buckley is back with his free preview and best bets from the Gold Coast meeting. And don't forget to head to our racing tips page for racing coverage from all around the country this Saturday.
Gold Coast Racing Tips: Saturday, January 10th 2026
Race 4: 3YO & 4YO Fillies & Mares Class 4 plate 1300m - 5:05pm (AEDT)
(8) Scripted – one of the better bets of the day! We were with her LS over 1200m when she had genuine excuses getting posted 3WNC the entirety after being snagged from a wide gate. She still had the audacity to hit the line hard and get within 0.8L of SAXOBUSHI (fastest L200m split of the race). The start prior saw her get shuffled all the way back to last over 1000m before getting out to savage the line and get within 0.6L of YOYO YEEZY (fourth fastest 4-200m and third fastest L200m splits of the meeting). She looks like she wants every bit of 1300m to my eye, she’s 2 from 2 on dry ground, and she’ll make good improvement third up from a long break. I’m convinced she’s well above average, she just needs a bit of luck from the draw
(11) Southern Heiress – comes through a high rating race finishing alongside Ice Kool who is a live hope in the feature race later today. She’s 1 from 1 second up and gets the key booking of James McDonald. Has a sticky draw to overcome and sees 1300m for the first time which are the queries.
(4) Yes Lulu – best value play in the race. Pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia two starts ago when very firm in the market, then bounced back strongly last start finishing hard up along the inside to be within 0.6L of Miss Spacegirl. On the quick back up, has fitness on her side, and Tommy Berry takes over. Needs some luck from the gate.
(8) Scripted WIN
$4.00 (2 Units)
Race 8: TAB Magic Millions The Syndicate 1100m – 7:40pm (AEDT)
(2) Golden Boom – he looks a good each way bet here. It was a very good return first up, all things considered. He was solid in the market (SP’d $5.00) before getting posted 4&5WNC the entirety, yet he stuck on gamely to finish within 1.2L of THE BLACK CLOUD (genuine excuses). He’ll likely roll forward from the wide gate, but there looks to be good speed on paper, so we’ll trust Maloney to make a decision depending on tempo whether they sit OSL or take a sit in behind them. The last time he clashed with PAYLINE they raced in the G1 Moir Stakes when he was no better than 3&4WNC the entirety, yet he still beat him home. His last run over this track/trip had a very similar set up to this race – he was sent forward from a wide gate, controlled things, and gave a big kick to fend off TIGER SHARK who had the drop on him (big gaps behind). He has a strong second up profile, he goes best on dry ground, and I think he’ll have a head start on PAYLINE turning for home. Expect him to be fighting out the finish
(1) Payline – must have a case if Golden Boom does. Closed off strongly behind Hidden Wealth last start and comes through the better form lines. Draws an ideal gate, it’s just a matter of whether he can utilise it or not. Historically, he gets back in the run which means he’ll need a good tempo / luck at a key stage. Will be hitting the line hard.
(5) Epic Proportions – best roughie in the race. Produced a career peak performance two back when leading at a strong tempo before giving a big kick to fend off Midnight in Tokyo et al (that horse has since franked the form several times). Was very well backed last start at Group 3 level before pulling up with a slow recovery (forgive). If they leave him along in front, he’ll be hard to get past.
(2) Golden Boom E/W
$5.50/$2.10 (1U/2U)
Race 9: TAB Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate- 8:15pm (AEDT)
(7) Akaysha – she looks a great value play in the feature race of the day. She comes through some really strong form lines last preparation finishing alongside the likes of MY GLADIOLA, STRETAN ANGEL, and MARHOONA which is good enough for this (also close up behind the very talented POINT BARROW). She has a good first up record, she goes well on dry ground, and Tom Sherry has a good association with her. She spun around in a trial over 900m two weeks ago that was a good piece of work as she hit the line well under a good hold. There looks to be a very hot speed on paper, so I think they’ll likely settle midfield from the good gate and then look to weave a passage turning for home. I don’t think there should be such a disparity between her and GRAFTERBURNERS. She’ll be flying late!
(11) Sylph – the overs in the race. Finished alongside Grafterburners last start after getting shuffled back to third last and wanting to over-race before really hitting the line hard to get within 0.9L of him (loved her late strength / knuckled down strongly). Can’t believe she’s currently 4 times the price in the market (getting better odds for her to finish top 3 than we are for Grafterburners to win). Draws for a lovely run from gate 3 and gets Zac Lloyd up. Great value runner.
(2) Grafterburners – has won three in a row since returning from a spell, draws for a gun run, and gets JMac up. He was a dominant winner over 1200m at this track as a 2YO in the $500,00 Jewel when forced to track wide and copping interference turning for home. Might just be too good for them, but he’s short enough.
(7) Akaysha E/W
(7) Akaysha $6.50/$2.15 (1U/2U)
