PRICE TAKES MAGIC MILLIONS UNKNOWNS IN HIS STRIDE

Melbourne trainer adds finishing touches to squad, even if Gold Coast venue is a query

- Michael Lee

Dedicated Melbourne trainer Mick Price was on hand at the Gold Coast to put his wards through their paces on Jan 7, even if a few question marks hover over their runs this coming Saturday on Jan 11.

Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, has entered four runners at the lucrative The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday.

As much as their gallops could not have pleased Price more, they could not completely put a pencil through a few pending unknowns.

While Gold Coast Turf Club officials are supremely confident the A$13 million (S$11 million) marquee meeting will be maintained at the Surfers Paradise venue, a last morning test gallop on Jan 9 will be the clincher.

A section of the Gold Coast track was discovered to be damaged last week, forcing the Jan 4 meeting to be transferred to the Sunshine Coast, but emergency remedial works seem to have since patched up the affected area.

Price still kept a guarded optimism about his Queensland prospects, even if the venue was not the only factor not cast in stone.

For example, Space Rider, his entrant in the day's highlight, the A$3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1,200m) may miss the run. The son of Zoustar is only a first emergency acceptor.

"There are a few unknowns. One is if they run the races," said Price.