SUPERBLY bred youngster Regimental Pride can step forward as a genuine Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender after he tackles the ATC Rosehill Gardens Handicap (1100m) in Sydney tomorrow.
The David Payne-trained colt was a sharp improver off his initial Breeders’ Plate effort winning at Rosehill just seven days later.
Regimental Pride has been off the scene for nine weeks but was tuned-up with an easy trial at Warwick Farm on November 29.
”He’s quite a gross bloke but he’s done very well and I think he is a better horse than he was the other day,” Payne told Sportsman.
”He’ll go to Wyong next Friday and that will be his Magic Millions preparation.”
The Rosehill trainer said Regimental Pride has matured during his break, something he felt was necessary given the ”stage fright” he suffered from when he made his debut in the Breeders’ Plate.
”We fancied him in the Breeders’ and he ran so badly and that’s why we backed him up a week later,” he said.
”I think he got some stage fright, he wanted to look around a lot, but he is more focused now.”
Regimental Pride’s dam, Regimental Gal was a dual Group 1 winner herself and took out the 2003 Magic Millions Classic.
The 2013 aspirant’s sire, More Than Ready, has delivered the winners of four Magic Millions 2Y0 races including Gold Coast winners, Augusta Proud (2008) and Phelan Ready 12 months on and is now an emerging sire of sires with Golden Slipper winner Sebring starting his career in fine style.
