We continue with the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast on Saturday with the $3 million 2YO and 3YO Classics the feature. Weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a top of 32 degrees and the chance of a shower. The track should be rated a Good 4 with the rail out 2m throughout, and the first race kicks off at 1.30pm AEDT.
Shannon Buckley is back with his free preview and best bets from the Gold Coast Magic Millions 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 17th 2026
Race 5 : TAB Magic Millions Fillies & Mares 1300m - 3:50pm (AEDT)
(6) It’s A Knockout – she’s a lightly raced 5YO who arrives fresh off an 800m trial at Kembla Grange that was a solid hit out. She had a very similar setup last preparation when she resumed over 1400m off an 800m trial where she settled just behind the leaders before angling out and giving them a cold (won by 4.1L / high rating race / Oh Diamond Lil and Glad You Think So subsequent winners / fastest L200m split of the race). She gets the key booking of James McDonald, she generally jumps well which means she should settle better than midfield, she flies fresh, and 1300m is an ideal starting point. If the track gets into the soft range then that’s a bonus. If she gets a bit of luck from the gate, she’s a clear winning hope
(10) Yes Lulu – on the quick back up from last week when she was very good closing off behind key rivals Poster Girl and Scripted. I expect her to be closer in transit from a middle draw, she’s rock hard fit, and she handles dry ground. If they overdo it in front, she’ll be launching late.
(1) Dance To The Boom – one of the best map horses in the race. Was well backed last start before disappointing. If you forgive that run, her previous form is excellent (she beat home current favourite Jenny The Fox over 1400m at Flemington after never being on the track). She can hit back hard.
(6) It’s a Knockout E/W
$7.50/$2.50 (1U/2U)
Race 6: Magic Millions Snippets 1200m– 4:25pm (AEDT)
(2) The Instructor – one of the best bets of the day! He was heavily backed first up to beat King’s Secret, but he led at a strong gallop before getting collared late (King’s Secret had fitness on its side / high rating race as they went 11.5L faster than average over 1200m / good gaps behind / loved the way he stuck on late). He draws a perfect gate today and I think he maps to lead or sit right behind them if something wants to take him on. He has a terrific second up profile, he goes well on dry or soft tracks, Adam Hyeronimus is in great form, and they scratched from race 9 to head here. If we look back to last preparation, he held off the fast-finishing War Machine over 1200m at Mornington. He was subsequently very good behind that horse in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap after being badly held up at a key stage (beat home Payline which ties in). If he runs up to his profile and improves second up, he’s the one to beat
(1) Hidden Wealth – the obvious danger. Good winner first up (beat home Lohnro’s Queen who was impressive last week) before putting in a flat one second up behind Caballus. He was easy in the market last start but defied the betting drift to get the money (was strong late / high rating race / beat home Payline). Will be hitting peak fitness fourth up, 1200m is his pet trip, and he handles all conditions. Just needs to overcome the sticky draw.
(9) Pre Eminence – best value runner. Won well first up over 1000m after being well-backed in the market. Still has upside, draws for a gun run, and gets Zac Lloyd up.
(2) The Instructor WIN
$3.50 (2 Units)
Race 9: Magic Millions Cup 1400m - 6:20pm (AEDT)
(2) Bosustow – he looks a good roughie at double figure odds. He resumes off a 63-day spell and a trial over 1050m a little over 2 weeks ago that was a sharp piece of work. First up last preparation he sat behind the leaders in a slowly run race before warming up nicely late to get within 0.4L of Withyourblessing who led them up (beat home Yellow Brick fair and square / winner was entitled to kick). Two of his three career wins have come at the Gold Coast, 1400m is an ideal starting point, he’s proven in all conditions, and I note JMac jumps off Yellow Brick to ride him. Obvious query is where they get to from the gate, but he normally jumps well, so I think they’ll roll forward and look to slot in. Expect him to be strong late
(4) Need Some Luck – was a dominant winner first up over 1200m on a heavy track at Flemington before having no favours at Cranbourne second up (happy to forgive). He got out over 1400m last start in the Magic Millions Buffering, settled better than midfield, saved ground nearer the inside, and then exploded to the front to get the money (was there to be run down / tough late). Unbeaten over 1400m, should get a good run from the draw, loves dry ground, and Tommy Berry sticks. Danger.
(13) Meridius – lightly raced 6YO who was terrific winning first up over 1200m with 61.5kgs. Plummets 7.5kgs to help offset the rise in grade, Jamie Melham retains the ride, and he should get a good run from a low draw (doesn’t want to get too far back though).
(2) Bosustow E/W
$11/$3.50 (0.5U/1.5U)
