Queanbeyan trainer Neville Layt will rely on two long-standing friendships to help put the finishing touches on Karuta Queen's Magic Millions preparation.Layt revealed he would stable Karuta Queen at Joe Janiak's Coffs Harbour base for three days while enlisting the services of Brisbane-based jockey Michael Cahill to ride the filly in her final gallops."I've been in touch with my old friends from the country to give me a hand," Layt said."I've known Joe for years and Michael said he would only b

Queanbeyan trainer Neville Layt will rely on two long-standing friendships to help put the finishing touches on Karuta Queen's Magic Millions preparation.

Layt revealed he would stable Karuta Queen at Joe Janiak's Coffs Harbour base for three days while enlisting the services of Brisbane-based jockey Michael Cahill to ride the filly in her final gallops.

"I've been in touch with my old friends from the country to give me a hand," Layt said.

"I've known Joe for years and Michael said he would only be too happy to ride her for me."

Janiak, the former taxi cab driver who rose to fame as a horse trainer on the international exploits of Takeover Target, will play host to Layt and his potential wonder horse next week.

"I'm going to stop at Joe's for three days then head to the Gold Coast," Layt said.

"I reckon I should put the filly in the stable alongside Takeover Target and hope a bit of luck rubs off."

Going on the reaction to a 900-metre barrier trial win at Queanbeyan, luck might not be such a crucial factor in Karuta Queen's Magic Millions bid.

With veteran Canberra jockey Kevin Sweeney in the saddle, Karuta Queen smashed a long-standing track record in the three-horse trial.

She scampered over the course in 49.93s, returning a 32.44s 600m sectional.

Her time was 1.17s better than the course record which was set 14 years ago.

Reports said the filly was ridden out and had the advantage of a tailwind but to put the trial into perspective, Takeover Target, as a four-year-old, clocked 53.26s (34.75s) in a 900m hit-out at Queanbeyan before winning his maiden on debut by seven lengths.

Layt said Karuta Queen was her usual bright self on Tuesday.

"People might think what I'm doing is unorthodox but I'm really only giving her the same type of preparation as I did between when she won at Rosehill and Wyong," he said.

"She's a fresh horse who thrives on her work."

Karuta Queen has been Magic Millions favourite since markets opened but she tightened further to $3.30 as news of her trial win filtered through.

Boxing Day winners Schiffer and Military Grace are now the second and third betting picks at $5.50 and $6.50 respectively.

Schiffer, beaten into second place by Karuta Queen in the Magic Millions 2YO Stakes, scored decisively at Randwick while Military Grace ploughed through the mud to win at Doomben.