Trainer Matt Dunn can afford to take his time plotting filly Madotti's Magic, Millions Classic campaign after her strong win at Doomben on Saturday.
Dunn is sure Madotti can measure up to the race on January 10 and her Doomben win should ensure she makes the field.
A filly by former dual Doomben 10,000 winner Falvelon, Madotti now has $61,600 in the bank which can go towards the qualifying for the Magic Millions Classic.
Madotti ($2.50) came from midfield to hit the lead in the straight and then held off the fast finishing The Wildman ($5.50) by a 1/2 length in the River Junction two-year-old (1050m).
At her first run Madotti finished second behind boom filly Frequendly and Dunn was convinced Madotti has the class to tackle the Classic.
Dunn had an appointment at Murwillumbah on Saturday and was not at Doomben but his wife Keira Dunn said Madotti would now have a short break.
"She is an honest filly and she has followed up the good run at her first start. She has been to the beach a few times and a little break now won't do her any harm," Keira Dunn said.
"Matt can now take his time working out a programme leading into the Millions."
The Wildman turned in an eye-catching run but he is not eligible for the Magic Millions.
Military Miss ($5) ran on well to be third a long head behind The Wildman.
"It was another good run and lets hope she draws a barrier next time," said trainer Gillian Heinrich.
Meanwhile, Jim Byrne gave rival jockeys a lesson in front-running riding when he led most of the way to win on Walk To The Bar ($4) in the T and J Whitehouse Hcp (1640m).
Trainer Ray McCall paid tribute to Byrne for his clever ride and said Walk To the Bar had been getting close to a win.
Byrne said when no one else wanted to lead he decided to roll along in the lead and make it a dash home.
Walk to the Bar will now tackle more metropolitan races at distances around 1600m.
AAP Turf