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Magic Millions betting: Paprika is hot

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The much anticipated Magic Millions race day takes place at the Gold Coast this Saturday, the entire programme devoted to graduates of the rich sales series, writes Kristen Manning..

The feature event is the Magic Millions 2Y0, a $2 million dash over 1200m. General Nediym won this race several years ago and his daughter Paprika is hot favourite to repeat the dose in 2009.

Yet to taste defeat in four outings, Paprika has drawn ideally in six and her superior turn of foot makes her the one to beat. Well fancied runners have a pretty good record in this race and she is the one they all have to catch.

There is however no lack of depth here, with form lines from around the country and youngsters from leading juvenile stables taking part. Gai Waterhouse for example has two runners - the toppie Shadow Assassin (impressive at his Randwick debut) and Horizons who has always been highly thought of. She has not raced since mid October but this race has always been her goal and she is the clear danger to the favourite.

For a bit of each-way value others worth considering include Fairchild (Paprika's stable mate whose last run was just too bad to be true - has to be worth another chance on promise previously displayed) and Racing Pegasus whose two Doomben victories have been full of merit.

Some nice bets elsewhere on the programme. Drizzle looks a big chance to win his third MM Stayers Cup - Pepperwood looking his main danger. In the MM 2Y0 Plate the lightly raced and promising Mazzini is worth a look, having improved drastically from his first start to his second.

Simplest is fresh in the MM Sprint and he races well that way. A four times winner over the short course, he has plenty of natural speed with a nice kick at the finish.

Consistent mare Satsang has been racing well and looks a nice each-way chance in the MM Fillies & Mares whilst Albert The Fat looks nicely placed in the MM Cup. Already twice a winner at the Gold Coast, he has had no luck at all at recent outings and looks set to atone from a good gate.

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