SUTTON Grange trainer Brent Stanley say his $2m Magic Millions Guineas hope It's Kind of Magic has thrived since arriving on the Gold Coast and believes the three-year-old filly is more than capable of figuring in the finish.
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A winner of two of her four career starts, the daughter of So You Think filly booked her ticket to the Gold Coast with a tough first-up win at Moonee Valley on December 28.
Stanley, a multiple Group race-winning trainer, said It's Kind of Magic had not missed a beat since and was confident of a bold showing in Saturday's 1400m feature at Aquis Park.
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"She was really good in work Tuesday morning on the course proper - sensational," he said.
"Brett Prebble rode her and he was rapt.
"She has come out of that last win (at Moonee Valley) sensationally and she's improved a bit, so fingers crossed.
"She's the second favourite and everything goes right we are capable of getting the job done."
Stanley said the filly's chances had been aided by the barrier draw.
It's Kind of Magic will jump from barrier six, with the raging favourite Alligator Blood ($1.75), who is seeking his eighth win in nine career starts, drawing barrier 11.
The tough filly is the only other runner in the race at single-figure odds at $9.50.
"I couldn't be happier, we've drawn that good barrier and she is a really good horse," he said.
"Saying that, the favourite Alligator Blood is a serious animal.
"Hopefully he can have a bit of an off day and we don't and that might be the difference between winning a race or not."
It's Kind of Magic is only the second runner for Stanley at a Magic Millions Carnival.
His previous starter Zoology finished a close third behind the Gerald Ryan-trained Problem Solver in the Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) in 2018.
Stanley said he would like nothing better than to go a few places better this time.
He is no stranger to having horses in some of Australia's biggest races, among them Sweet Sherry, who contested both the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes and Group 1 Golden Slipper in 2016 and Red Alto, an impressive fourth in the Group 1 Victorian Derby in 2015.
"As a jockey I rode in most of the major races in Australia and a fair few around the world, and been quite successful in them, so hopefully I can do it as a trainer," Stanley said.
It's Kind of Magic will again be ridden by Brett Prebble, who partnered the horse to victory at The Valley last month over 1200m.
The filly showed plenty of resilience on that occasion to win after sitting three-wide for much of the race, before taking control in the straight for a decisive victory.
Stanley is hoping for a similar resilient performance on the Gold Coast.
A victory would continue a more than handy season for the Caulfield Cup-winning jockey, who has trained 19 winners this season, putting him on track to eclipse last season's total of 30.
Stanley also has Red Alto engaged at Flemington on Saturday in the $135,000 Bluegrass Bar Trophy (2000m).
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