John O'Shea insists Magic Millions favourite Ambers Waltz remains spot-on for next month's $2 million feature on the Gold Coast despite her defeat at Randwick.Ambers Waltz made up plenty of ground when a neck second to the Gary Portelli-trained Triple Crown in the TAB Number One Club Handicap (1200m) on Boxing Day.While he was naturally disappointed the $2 favourite didn't score, O'Shea said there was plenty of merit in the performance."I'm very happy with her, it was a good run. Unfortunately,
John O'Shea insists Magic Millions favourite Ambers Waltz remains spot-on for next month's $2 million feature on the Gold Coast despite her defeat at Randwick.
Ambers Waltz made up plenty of ground when a neck second to the Gary Portelli-trained Triple Crown in the TAB Number One Club Handicap (1200m) on Boxing Day.
While he was naturally disappointed the $2 favourite didn't score, O'Shea said there was plenty of merit in the performance.
"I'm very happy with her, it was a good run. Unfortunately, you don't get paid on those," O'Shea said.
"That will do her the world of good to give her a couple of bangs on the bum and give her something to chase.
"She's stepping up into more competitive races and that's the way it's going to be from now on."
The filly was the subject of a lengthy stewards' inquiry after the race into the tactics adopted by champion Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver.
Ambers Waltz jumped from the widest gate, 10, and Oliver opted to restrain her to last.
Stewards accepted Oliver's reasoning that he risked being caught three-deep without cover if he pressed forward.
Oliver also told stewards the filly resented the whip in the run home and was subsequently wayward in the straight.
"She ran off under the stick, she's never been under that sort of pressure before," Oliver said.
Ambers Waltz came into the race after a slashing debut win at Rosehill on December 5 when she was able to get a lovely run just off the speed for most of the 1100 metres.
"If we drew a good barrier (four) like we did at Rosehill, she would have box-seated again," O'Shea said.
The Randwick trainer made it clear that Oliver's tactics were not the reason the filly was beaten.
"If she went straight she would have won and we wouldn't be having this conversation," O'Shea told stewards.
"Damien would have been three-deep without cover if he went forward and there's no way he would have been in a winning position."
Ambers Waltz is the $3.80 popular elect in TAB Sportsbet markets for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on January 9.
Military Rose is the second elect at $5.50 following her win in Saturday's B J McLachlan at Doomben.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Extreme Mover, a winner at Rosehill on December 12, has eased to $14 following his seventh in that race.
Triple Crown is at $9.50.