ALL CHANGE IN PREPARATION FOR MAGIC MILLIONS

The Magic Millions will be a bit different this year with limited audiences and Queensland having some of the toughest border restrictions in order to fight the Covid-19 virus that has decimated so many industries globally. 

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy this week declared he wouldn’t be attending the Magic Millions Carnival because having to quarantine would be “too hard basket” for him. 

With anyone attending the event having to quarantine for two weeks prior to arriving or re-locate to a covid safe zone it is proving easier for the multiple Melbourne Cup winner to stay in Sydney. 

“I’m staying in Sydney, it (the Magic Millions) is in the too hard basket for me with the quarantine requirements,” McEvoy said.

McEcvoy isn’t the only jockey making the call with Group 1 winning jockey Tommy Berry choosing to stay in NSW rather than travel and face the two week quarantine.

There is some positive news however with top jockeys Hugh Bowman and James McDonald basing themselves outside of Sydney in order to ride at the Carnival.

Trainers such as Bjorn Baker and Gary Portelli are also following suit so they can attend the yearling sales in the lead up to the carnival. 

“I was in the Hunter Valley for a couple of days and now I’m spending 12 days at Kingscliff (far northern NSW),” Baker said.

Despite the turmoil for many there is still great racing ahead with the likes of Nash Rawillier and Glen Boss already heading to QLD to tackle the riches in the Vo Rogue Plate and the Listed Nudgee Stakes going ahead at Eagle Farm this weekend. 

Punters will be paying particular attention to the Vo Rogue Plate which was moved in the calendar this year so that it could be a feeder event into the Magic Millions. 

Alligator Blood was the winner of the last edition of the race and went on to Group 1 glory at the Magic Millions Carnival. 

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