Magic Millions By Choice for debut winner

Waterhouse-Bott team strengthens for Gold Coast juvenile highlight.

Coolmore Mt White Handicap at Randwick in Australia." />

If the votes fall the way he thinks they will, Adrian Bott will concede that By Choice is Gold Coast-bound after winning on debut at Randwick.

Bott's preference would be to wait for another steadfast two-year-old event instead of the $3 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) on January 17, but the ownership are keener on the latter with a case to make.

A $220,000 purchase at the 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, By Choice ($7.50) was strongest late to overrun early leader Masvingo ($3.50) by #-lengths to win the Spelling at Coolmore Mt White Handicap (1100m) for two-year-olds.

Race favourite Tigroni ($3.40) was less than ¼-length away in third.

"She's a professional and that will take her a long way," Bott said of By Choice.

"She put herself into the race and came back under Regan (Bayliss). She showed plenty late.

"The owners are keen to get a runner on the Gold Coast and I may be one-out if I said to try and hang out for the Widden Stakes or something like that later."

A daughter of Written By, By Choice started from barrier 10 in the field of 11.

"Barrier ten is never easy especially when the rail is out so far," jockey Regan Bayliss said.

"I knew she had the professionalism to overcome that and that is exactly what she did.

"She showed good speed from the barriers and switched off a treat. She's a nice filly."

Adrian Bott said that should the Magic Millions card be played, By Choice may make an appearance prior to the main day in the Gold Pearl 2yo Fillies over 1100m seven days earlier on January 10 at Gold Coast.