Mornington trained, Claro El Banco, proved a class above his rivals in winning the Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic at Ballarat on Saturday.

With the edge in experience, having raced once at Flemington, where as the remainder of the field were all first starters.  

However, that does not detract anything from his performance, after drawing an outside gate he was in front from the outset, and that is where he remained.

Claro El Banco, a gelding, will be given an easy time leading into his prime mission, the Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic of $2 million dollars on the Gold Coast, with total prizemoney on the day of $10 million dollars, the richest race day in the world, with the exception of the World Cup in Dubai.

The final field of 16 runners and 5 emergencies is determined by prize money earned, Claro El Banco has a credit balance of $120,000 after his win.

He was a $80,000 purchase out of the Magic Millions Sales, after the Ballarat win he has more than squared the ledger.

Claro El Banco winning Magic Millions at Ballarat

The gelding is trained on the course at Mornington by Jason Petch, he prefers to have a team of up to 10 horses at any one time, he is hands on with every horse in the stable, each receiving his individual attention.

Jason Petch thought the barrier draw could have been a problem, the gelding had to be used up to get to the first corner, from there he made it a procession, he did have quite a bit on his rivals.

A proud trainer stood tall, it was a big win for a deserving cause, Petch is a battler and he has had to battle pretty hard at times, but there was no escaping the smile on his face at Ballarat.

He has a good mate in Mark Lindsay from Eliza Park International, who steered him in the direction of the gelding (formerly a colt), by Statue Of Liberty, a proven sire who is leaving a number of winners besides Hay List.

Craig Newitt with Jason Petch