Kinshachi draws well in Millions

Gaining a place in the field for Saturday’s Magic Millions Fillies and Mares was the first victory for Godolphin filly Kinshachi and drawing the inside gate was another.

All Kinshachi needs to do now is win the A$1 million race for which she is one of the leading contenders.

The Magic Millions meeting on the Queensland Gold Coast this weekend carries A$10 million in prizemoney, making it the richest raceday on the Australian calendar

Normally the meeting is restricted to horses purchased at Magic Millions sales, but in 2017 the company has offered two “wild-card” entries – and trainer John O’Shea and Kinshachi seized the opportunity by winning at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.

That was Kinshachi’s third win from as many starts in a preparation that has taken her record to five wins and five placings from her 10 runs and caused her to leap ahead in official ratings.

“Her three wins have pushed her up 30 points in the ratings which is a sharp rise,” said O’Shea.

“But you expect that if they keep winning like she has, and under the conditions of the race she isn’t too badly treated.”

Kinshachi’s Eagle Farm victory came despite a wide gate and a torrid run, but it confirmed the filly was holding her form and it also convinced Queensland’s leading jockey Jeff Lloyd to stay with her in Saturday’s race.

“Her win in Brisbane the other week was very good, Jeff Lloyd has the ride again and he’s also in great form, so we’re looking forward to Saturday.

“Barriers are very important at the Gold Coast, so to have drawn the inside gives her a great opportunity to win a nice race.”

Kinshachi’s main opposition seems likely to come from Egyptian Symbol who has also drawn well, while several other well-performed runners came up with wide barriers in the 16-runner field.