Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers: ‘The slow ones will act like speed humps’: Magic Millions’ long tail

TA: Well, Ben, you’ve set the cat among the pigeons with your yarn on Channel Seven’s plan for select Magic Millions jockeys to wear AirPods behind the gates on Saturday. It’s created a social media firestorm but it seems a good idea, fairly simple and straightforward and something racing should embrace?

BD: Social media is like the wild west. Some of the overblown reaction from people who haven’t even read the story is ridiculous. It’s clearly nothing like Racing Victoria’s proposal last year which involved jockeys being miked up during a race. I hope Channel Seven stands firm and presses ahead. Let’s not be too precious about this — it’s not much different to jockeys being interviewed on horse back before big races.

TA: We’re here at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, which is littered with multi millionaires but there is no story quite like Cliff Little from Cairns, the humble former disability worker who went on a horse buying spree after winning $40m on lotto four years ago. It’s my favourite story of the week and I reckon his horse Cifrado is poised to strike in the $3m 3YO Guineas on Saturday for Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp.

BD: Imagine winning $40m. I’d be happy to win $40. I’m going so bad I’m going to hit Magic Millions boss and Harvey Norman supremo Gerry Harvey up for an interest-free loan. Early signs are Gerry will be the winner again, with the Magic Millions Sales off to a strong start.

TA: Let’s cut to the chase. What are you putting your famous mock on in the $3m 2YO Classic? To me, the race looks like it’s got a long tail with only a handful of chances?

BD: Agree. The main issue for some of the fancies will be staying out of the way of some of the slow ones who will act like speedhumps and be beaten a long way out. I’m not looking far and wide for the winner. The favourite Storm Boy ($2.40) looks the goods, has ticked the 1200m box, has the renowned Gai Waterhouse polish and has been in the Sunshine State since before Christmas. I have Godolphin colt Parkour ($10) pencilled in as the clear and present danger. Will need some Jamie Kah magic from the gate, but will be as strong as an ox late, while others are searching for an oxygen tank.

TA: Commiserations to the connections of those two horses. I think Storm Boy will be hard to beat, however the draw is a touch sticky. I loved the run of Arabian Summer last Saturday and I reckon she can overcome the Ballarat Magic Millions curse this year. I give Highness a huge chance as well. What do you like in the 3YO Guineas?

BD: I was a Sydney Bowler man until John O’Shea’s up and coming star drew out in the cheap seats. My money will be on Cifrado ($5.50) who looks set to boost the bulging bank balance of your man Cliff Little even further. I was gelded some years back and while I went backwards in life, Cifrado has thrived. Was arguably the most impressive win anywhere in Australia on the day he won the Vo Rogue Plate.

TA: You’ll hear the cheers from my hometown of Cairns from the Gold Coast if Cifrado looms up to win. No knock on him from me, but if you’re looking for some value, I can see Trifling ($21) storming home late at knockout odds.

TRENTON AKERS’ 2YO CLASSIC TIPS

1. Arabian Summer

2. Highness

3. Storm Boy

BEN DORRIES’ 2YO CLASSIC TIPS

1. Storm Boy

2. Parkour

3. Highness

■ The Matt Williams and Ben Dorries weekly column will return on Thursday, January 25.

Originally published as Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers: ‘The slow ones will act like speed humps’: Magic Millions’ long tail