BLOGS

Impressive debut winner Conceited will be out to extend his unbeaten record tomorrow and catapult into contention for next week's $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

The Godolphin colt will be partnered by in-form jockey Damian Lane in tomorrow’s $125,000 Aquis Gold Nugget for colts and geldings at the Gold Coast.

While Conceited earned enough prizemoney ($68,750) from his Flemington win on 14 December to safely qualify for the rich Magic Millions 2YO Classic on 11 January, the race is the final chance for some ambitious juveniles to qualify.

If Conceited wins tomorrow, he will be high on the radar of punters with backing up seven days into the Magic Millions race a proven formula.

Trainer James Cummings prepared Exhilarates to win last year’s Magic Millions off a run a week prior and Conceited will follow the same path.

Le Chef (2015), Houtzen (2017), Sunlight (2018) and Exhilarates (2019) all won a week before their main aim.

Capitalist is the only exception of the past five years, winning more than three weeks earlier in the 2016 Wyong Magic Millions Classic before tasting victory in the Gold Coast feature.

The combination of Cummings and Lane is another proven formula after combining to win last year's Golden Slipper with Kiamichi.

Conceited was steered to victory by Lane on debut, with the $625,000 son of Brazen Beau well-backed and looking in second gear for much of the straight before kicking strongly to fight off Jabali Ridge to score by 0.2 length.

"Three weeks ago when he had his first jumpout he was really green,” Lane told racing.com following the debut win.

“He had blinkers in his last jumpout and that sparked him up a little bit.

"It was the first time he was really tested and it was good to see him respond.

"I wouldn't put anything past him just because how much he has improved already this prep, but I would be surprised (if he won the Magic Millions) because for mine he's more of a three-year-old type."

Lane enjoyed a remarkable year in 2019 claiming three of the big four races in Australia with victory in the Caulfield Cup (Mer De Glace), Golden Slipper (Kiamichi) and Cox Plate (Lys Gracieux).

He finished the year on a high aboard Lys Gracieux by taking out the 2500 metre Group 1 Arima Kinen in Japan and defeating short-priced favourite Almond Eye.

Lane’s manager Dean Hawkes said the jockey was really looking forward to getting up to the Gold Coast.

“If all goes well this week aboard Conceited, Damian will take him through to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on 11 January and look to carry on his recent success,” he told Racing Queensland.

“We’re working towards ensuring he has a few other rides throughout the Carnival as well.”

Conceited has drawn in gate six and is the $2.50 favourite for tomorrow’s Gold Nugget ahead of Anders for the Maher-Eustace training partnership.

Anders worked hard from an awkward draw last time out but battled away strongly for third behind Gotta Kiss on 21 December at Eagle Farm.

Conceited sits around the $15 quote in Gold Coast Magic Millions markets.