By Ray Hickson
Adrian Bott is hopeful promising filly Summer Loving has learned a lot from what was an eye-catching debut in last month’s Golden Gift when she steps out for an important assignment in Wednesday’s $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong Classic (1100m).
The youngster started favourite in the $1 million Golden Gift, won by Barber, and after a slow start saw her settle near the tail she produced a strong finish to run third and just over a length from the winner.
It’s Magic Millions day at Wyong on Wednesday.
Since then she’s been back to the trials to stay up to the mark and Bott is expecting her to take some advantage of the inside gate with that experience behind her.
“I thought she was good on that occasion; we threw her in the deep end to an extent for her first start off one soft barrier trial,” Bott said on Sky Sports Radio.
“She found herself in an unfamiliar position back in the field, we were expecting her to be up on the speed. She was finding the line strongly late, it was a good effort for a first time out.
“With a bit more race experience she can put herself on speed, which is important around Wyong I feel, and if she takes that bit of improvement she’s certainly right in it.”
Tulloch Lodge has won the Wyong Magic Millions five times, Gai Waterhouse three times in the 2000s and another two in partnership with Bott in the 2010s with Slipper winner Farnan in 2019 the latest.
Regan Bayliss rode the filly on debut but Tim Clark takes over at Wyong and he had a spin on her back when running second to Magic Millions rivals Fire Lane in a Canterbury trial on November 29.
“She had a nice trial at Canterbury and I thought she was ticking over lovely into this race,” Bott said.
“She is still putting it all together but she is going there in good order, that’s the main thing. She’s better for it now and hopefully she can race that little more seasoned.”
Bott warned that three-year-old Resonator could be vulnerable when he returns in the $100,000 Magic Millions Wyong 3&4YO Stakes (1200m).
The gelding won twice in the autumn before finishing unplaced as favourite in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce (1400m) at Eagle Farm in May.
“I expect good improvement off the back of this run. He may find the trip a little bit short and sharp for him,” Bott said.
