More Than Ready filly Gala Miss has the credentials to press her Magic Millions claims when tackling black-type for the first time at Doomben on Saturday.

Gala Miss broke through on debut at Doomben on November 3 and trainer Kelly Schweida believes she can win again in the Calaway Gal Stakes LR (1110m).  “She wasn’t fully wound up last month…as a matter of fact she was a little porker,” he recalled.  “But she drew the rails so we decided to go ahead and it worked out.

“She’s owned by a ladies syndicate which means they are eligible for an extra $500,000 in bonus payments in the Magic Millions Classic.”

Gala Miss is bred for 2yo black-type on the top and bottom of her pedigree.  It’s been a decade between drinks for More Than Ready in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic but he’s on the winning roll-call with Phelan Ready and Augusta Proud.

Her dam Costume (Encosta de Lago) is an unraced sister to Kiss And Make Up (Todman Stakes Gr.2) and second-dam Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice) was Champion Australian 2YO Filly in 2004-05.

More Than Ready has 23 lots entered for the Magic Millions Yearling Sale and there’s a close relation to Gala Miss from Vinery catalogued as Lot 83.  His Runway Star colt is from a Proud Miss Stakes LR winner in Adelaide – she and Schweida’s filly both descend from Group 1 winning Melbourne mare Wrap Around.

There was another black-type update on December 1 when Nafaayes won the Ipi Tombe Challenge Gr.3 at Turffontein.  Kia Ora Stud will offer her half-brother by the Vinery legend from Decelerator as Lot 508 on the Gold Coast.

Besides the Magic Millions dress-rehearsals at Doomben, an evenly-matched field of sprinters will fight out the Lough Neagh Stakes LR and trainer Robbie Heathcote is hoping he can land black-type with Buffering’s three-quarter brother No Annamossity.

The lightly-raced son of Mossman has battled back from serious leg injuries after winning a 3yo maiden at Eagle Farm in October 2016.  “He has two pins in a fractured leg – who knows how good he could have been?” Heathcote said.  “”If there is any rain he can also handle wet tracks which a few other might not.”

All Too Hard passed 200 career wins on December 2 and he’s sired another 10 around the country since then.  There’s more this Saturday with emerging 3yo colt Blow Torch a chance in the Sports Environment Alliance Hcp (1410m) at Flemington.

Trainer Tony McEvoy bought Blow Torch for $200,000 at the 2017 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.  He won on debut at Kilmore last month and can handle a rise in grade at headquarters.  He is a full-brother to Jomo who looks a serious horse for Lee Freedman after a brilliant last-start victory in Singapore.  Their dam Skye Gold (Galileo) is related to NZ Railway Stakes Gr.1 winner Volpe Veloce

In other news out of New Zealand, trainer Nigel Tiley reports Demonetization has come through his gelding operation well.  “He’s just come back and looks fantastic,” Tiley said.  “You’re always a little bit worried when you geld an older horse, you might have some complications, but he’s just taken it in his stride.

Tiley indicated the Livamol Classic Gr.1 is the long-term target for Demonetization.

New Zealand trainer Lauren Brennan has farewelled her rising star English Gambler to Australia.  He’s a very promising son of Vinery sire Casino Prince and was expected to leave for Singapore before being re-routed to Darren Weir.

English Gambler bolted in by 10 lengths at Tauranga earlier this season and returned for another win there in October.  “It’s unfortunate to lose him, but business-wise it’s a good idea for the owner,” Brennan said.  “He might be a nice 2000m horse in time and there are limited options for stayers in Singapore.”

Vinery sold English Gambler for $34,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National Sale to Singapore owner Paul Hickman.  His dam Christmas Day (Zabeel) is a winning three-quarter-sister to Reset and she has an All Too Hard yearling filly in NZ.