Vienna Royale back on course for Millions

Tuesday 24 December 2013, 12:17pm

A rousing jump-out has trainer Tony Gollan convinced Vienna Royale is back in the hunt for the Magic Millions Classic.

Vienna Royale was among the early favourites for the $2 million race on January 11 after a brilliant first-up win in October.

However, at his next start at Doomben two weeks ago, Vienna Royale started long odds-on but took a left-hand turn at the start and finished second last.

The Falvelon colt had to perform at the barriers in front of stewards on Tuesday before being allowed to start again.

And he came through with flying colours at Eagle Farm when ridden by champion jockey Chris Munce.

Gollan was elated by the effort and after discussions with Munce decided to put winkers on Vienna Royale for his next start in the $75,000 Hopeful Stakes (1000m) in Toowoomba on New Year's Eve.

"I expect him to not only race well but to win well," Gollan said.

"Then we can go to the Millions with some real confidence.

"He will just need to draw a good alley in the Millions to be a hope. You have seen what bad barriers can do to horses in his last run at Doomben when he was never on the track."

Vienna Royale, with $32,000 in prize money, is 13th in the order of entry for the Magic Millions and would still scrape into the field even if he doesn't win next week.

However, Gollan said he was sure Vienna Royale could win the Hopeful and go straight into the Millions field.

The Hopeful will be a good test for Vienna Royale as it is on the new Toowoomba grass track and will feature an uphill run to the turn.

Gollan, who trained at Toowoomba for many years, believes Vienna Royale will have no problems with the track.

"We have put winkers on him which should make him concentrate more," Gollan said.

The young trainer has had two previous Magic Millions runners with Spirit Of Boom finishing 14th in 2010 and Global Dream running fourth this year.

– AAP

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