The unbeaten streak for Storm The Fortress might be under threat in the Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben, but trainer Toby Edmonds believes he can display his Queensland Derby credentials.
That is because Edmonds feels his talented three-year-old is progressing nicely to the 2400m distance for the Group 1 stayers' race worth $1 million.
Saturday's Group 3 feature worth $300,000 is a sprint over 1350m.
After comfortably winning his first two starts over 1200m, followed by his third consecutive salute also over 1350m and all on the Gold Coast, Edmonds is confident his gelding can finish strongly.
If he does, the $15 winning chance across online betting sites could challenge the likes of the fancied Count Da Beans ($2.40) and Stroll ($3.20).
“Our guy is ready to run further. So hopefully he's the one finishing on,” Edmonds told HorseBetting.com.au, with Martin Harley to have the ride.
Edmonds believes Storm The Fortress is set for a bright future, and indeed he could break plenty of hearts in 2023.
“You'd think so. He's by Invader out of a mare (Autumn) who got to 2000m,” he said.
“So he's got a bit of scope to run further.
“And he's only a young horse, so next time through we'll get him to a distance where we can aim him for a Derby.”
Edmonds said his developing gelding was in good condition for Saturday's sprint.
“He's in terrific order. He had a little (35-day) freshen,” he said.
“He's progressed nicely. He won his maiden easily, and he had a wide run in his three-year-old race and won that easily again.
“So we gave him a freshen-up into this. He's drawn terribly – nine of nine is not ideal.
“He's up in grade, but I think he's a good chance.”
Along with the Queensland Derby, Edmonds also has the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) in mind.
The $120,000 purchase from the 2021 Magic Millions Yearling Sale is rated a $26 chance for that race.
“Every time we've asked him for that little bit more effort he's been able to do it,” the experienced Group 1-winning conditioner said.
“Hopefully it's the same (on Saturday).
“We're trying to get him into a Magic Millions three-year-old race.”
Edmonds – together with his son Trent as co-trainer – have overseen 14 winners from their past 50 runners.
It means he will finish 2022 satisfied, regardless of what happens on Saturday.
“The stable has been going well. We had a couple of dry seasons, but this year has been pretty good,” Edmonds said.
“So we're pretty happy with where we're at at the moment.
“We'd like a couple more Group horses – that's what our aim is.”
Me Me Lagarde is a four-year-old mare – with four wins from 10 starts – who Edmonds hopes can step up as a big feature race winner next year.
She won the Listed Tattersall's Classic over 1200m on the Gold Coast on November 26, before finishing eighth in The Gateway two weeks later.
“She'll run on Magic Millions Day in the mare's race,” Edmonds said.
“She loves the Gold Coast and races well there, so she'll be really fresh going into that.
“She ran reasonably well in the Gateway, but had a wide run.
“So I think she should freshen up nicely and be in ideal condition for Magic Millions Day.”
Meanwhile, Edmonds said his available two-year-old colt by Trapeze Artist out of Deer Valley was shaping up as a strong winter prospect next year.
“He's a lovely colt. He won't be an early two-year-old – he'll be more towards late two or a three-year-old,” he said.
“He'll be fine though.”
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