Gatt's Main Mission Ahead Of Million Dollar Qualifier

TRAINER Mark Gatt has just one thing on his mind ahead of Wednesday's Richmond Regional Final of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (520m).

"It'd be great to win of course but the main thing is they qualify so we're after a top three finish," Gatt declared.

Gatt is represented in the finale by gifted siblings Magic Muffin and Make No Promise which were sent to the Thirlmere conditioner by good mate Paul Bartolo a week before the series.

FIELDS AND FORM RICHMOND WEDNESDAY

The gifted Victorian duo finished second in their respective heats last week with Gatt expecting further improvement heading into Wednesday's decider and beyond.

"I trialled them both at Richmond but on race day they use a silent lure so it was no surprise both dogs missed it in their heats," Gatt said.

"I don't know why they change the lure; the whole idea of trialling is to prepare a dog for race day and then you rock up and it's entirely different.

"I'm just hoping the run now under race day conditions helps this week and they begin better."

In a wide open betting affair, Magic Muffin, second to Baby Jaycee in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown in May, is a $4.60 chance from box four while Make No Promise, winner at 12 of his 26 starts, is at $7 from box eight.

"If Make No Promise had drawn the red instead of the pink I would have bet until my nose bled," Gatt quipped.

"He's desperate for the inside and drawing the outside from the 500 on this new track at Richmond, you almost may as well stay at home. 

"With him I'm just hoping he misses it and drops to the fence and gets a run through and qualifies.

"I really like the dog and if he doesn't qualify on Wednesday we've still got the city qualifiers to fall back on."

One of the most talented females in training, Magic Muffin's narrow second to Nando Banner in the heats was the daughter of Fernando Bale's first start since June when failing to finish at The Meadows.

Winner at seven of 20 starts, Magic Muffin boasts brilliant acceleration which has laid the platform for city winning times of 29.17 at Sandown Park and 29.73 at The Meadows.

"People might have been disappointed with her getting run down last week but if you knew what work she'd had you wouldn't," Gatt offered.

"She'd been off for three months and had two 300s and a box to box – that's it. The run last week after working so hard was very brave.

Will it be a three-pete in a month's time?

Peter Lagogiane's Nad Al Sheba has dominated them in @ladbrokescomau #MillionDollarChase Heat 2 @richmond_greys not long ago!

Make No Promise, Anjo Typhoon & Crackerjack Aret will join him, as well as Nando Banner, Magic Muffin,… pic.twitter.com/aFyPiXfyKQ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) September 13, 2023

"We probably rushed her a bit to be ready but everything now is with the plan to have her at her absolute top in a month's time.

"At her best she's a high quality bitch and last week's effort showed the fall hasn't caused her any harm either.

"She's got that brilliant speed you need to be in the mix in the big races."

Favouritism for Wednesday's finale is the Peter Lagogiane-trained Nad Al Sheba which set the pace with a flying 29.76 heat win over Make No Promise.