Brisbane Best: Gold Coast – January 12

Big fields and highly competitive racing is the order of the day for an intriguing Magic Millions race program at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

With many of the races on the card somewhat of a lottery, progressive mare Manicure offers a more solid betting proposition in the Moet and Chandon Magic Millions Fillies And Mares over 1300 metres.

A Godolphin four-year-old, Manicure won her way into this race as a wildcard when scoring an impressive resuming victory in the Listed Nudgee Stakes over 1200 metres at Doomben.

On that occasion she showed speed to race handy before dropping her rivals in the straight for an emphatic win.

That win was Manicure’s third from just seven starts and with a win and a placing from two previous second up runs so she should be able to progress off that victory.

James McDonald takes over in the saddle and from gate seven he should be able to get the mare into the right position and prove hard to beat.

Sydney stayer Tumultuous looks to be peaking at the right time to defend his crown in the Sky Racing Magic Millions Trophy over 2200 metres.

The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old produced a terrific trial for this race when he hit the line strongly for second over this distance to race rival Tally a fortnight ago.

He meets Tally 1kg better but more importantly comes into this fourth up so should be hitting peak fitness and be ready to show his best.

A two-time winner at this distance, Tumultuous won this race last year and it’s fair to think he will have been set for a repeat performance.

Robbie Fradd should give him a charmed run on the fence and with some galloping room in the straight he could be too strong.

BRISBANE BEST

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 6 #5 Manicure @ $3.00

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 4 #4 Tumultuous @ $3.80