Gary Portelli usually spends more time at the Magic Millions sale as an observer rather than a buyer but Koblenz could change all that.The filly is on target for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 10 for graduates of the sale.But first she has to earn her way in via the Strawberry Hills Prelude (1200m) at Randwick on Friday."I was going to run her at Randwick last Saturday over 1000 metres but she drew wide and although she hasn't done much better this tim

Gary Portelli usually spends more time at the Magic Millions sale as an observer rather than a buyer but Koblenz could change all that.

The filly is on target for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 10 for graduates of the sale.

But first she has to earn her way in via the Strawberry Hills Prelude (1200m) at Randwick on Friday.

"I was going to run her at Randwick last Saturday over 1000 metres but she drew wide and although she hasn't done much better this time (with the draw), the race is over 1200 metres which suits," Portelli said.

"I'd rather give her a hitout over the 1200 before the Magic Millions to see how she handles it.

"She had a good, strong gallop over 1000 metres on Tuesday and I was very happy with that."

Portelli said although he visited the Magic Millions sale each year, he had only recently started to buy yearlings there.

"Most of the horses we buy are at the secondary sales, not the top end," he said.

"It's only been the past couple of years that we have spent at the Gold Coast."

Koblenz was bought after being passed in for $90,000, $10,000 short of her reserve.

She has already earned $40,000 from her only start when second to Cortina Gal in the Wyong Slipper (1000m) on December 7.

The David Payne-trained Cortina Gal has been ruled out of the Magic Millions after coming out of the Wyong race a little worse for wear.

Koblenz is by Galaxy winner Charge Forward, who ran second to Dance Hero in the 2004 Golden Slipper.

Dance Hero won the Magic Millions that year and also claimed Sydney's juvenile triple crown of the Slipper, AJC Sires' Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes.

Portelli has never had a Magic Millions runner before and believes this year's race may not be as strong as other years.

"Because the sales were late last year due to EI a lot of the two-year-olds are only in their second preparation," he said.

"Most need two or three preps before they start racing and I think plenty of two-year-olds will be ready about two weeks after the Magic Millions.

"What it does mean is that I think this year's Slipper will be a cracker of a race."

The TAB fixed odds market on Friday's race has Koblenz favourite at $2.60 ahead of Shadow Assassin at $3.50.