Expensive 2YO’s Aim Up at Millions

The Group III BRC BJ MCLachlan Stakes in Brisbane on Saturday is likely to shed light on the $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with the race featuring much hyped first starter Just Zerene, an $800,000 Magic Millions purchase that has been heavily backed to win the big one at the Gold Coast next month.

Trained by Tony McEvoy, who prepared Zoustar's outstanding daughter Sunlight to win the race in 2018, Just Zerene has impressed her trainer despite having no public barrier trials to date.

McEvoy is expecting a good showing from Just Zerene, but believes there should not be such a huge price discrepancy between Just Zerene and her stablemate Sun City in betting markets on Saturday – in fact he believes Sun City (also by Zoustar) should be the shorter of the pair.

"Just Zerene was the standout filly of the (Magic Millions) sale and clearly she is a very, very nice filly," McEvoy told Racenet.

"But it's not my money that has backed her in – I don't bet, I'm not sure who has backed her.

"She will have to be very good indeed to win on Saturday because very few horses win a Group race in their first start in their lives.

"I wanted to run her last week but she didn't get a start so we have to play the cards we are dealt.

"But mark my words, Sun City will run a much, much better race on Saturday.

"The thing people have got to remember about Sun City, before they dismiss him, is that he has made mistakes in both his races and still finished second.

"Normally if a young horse makes mistakes like he has been, they would probably run seventh or eighth.

"Absolutely, my two horses should be much closer together in the betting on Saturday.

"In fact, I would probably have Sun City ahead of Just Zerene – he is fitter than her and more experienced than her."

Just Zerene was bought by China Horse Club from the Widden Stud draft and was the most expensive yearling by Zoustar sold at the Gold Coast in 2018.

She is a half-sister to multiple Group III winner Sharnee Rose and is from well bred Jeune (GB) winner Farasha, who comes from the Asawir branch of the Easy Date family featuring Group I winners Rewaaya, Ertijaal and Sense of Occasion.

Just Zerene is not the most expensive runner in this race with that honour going to the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Pierro colt Rome, who was bought by James Harron Bloodstock from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft for $1,050,000.

Rome was fourth at his only start so far in the Group III ATC Breeder Plate won by Dubious and hit the line with plenty in hand when finishing second in a recent barrier trial at Randwick. Brett Prebble has the ride on Rome and he jumps from gate one.

Bhima Thoroughbreds will be hoping Rome can arrive home first as they will offer his yearling half-sister at MM 2019 as Lot 495.