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By Grahame Timbrell

Jan Bowen had only one thought in the back of her mind when she paid $22,000 to buy the colt by Roman Emperor from Elle at last year’s Inglis Classic sale.

“He is a half-brother to a horse I train called Exit Only and I thought Exit Only could have been anything but instead he has turned into one of the most frustrating horses I have trained,” the Muswellbrook based Bowen said. “Despite that I still wanted this colt.”

On Thursday at Muswellbrook Roman Typhoon should put some of that frustration aside when he makes his debut in the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale Two-Year-Old Maiden (900m).

Left: Trainer Jan Bowen - has a promising type under her care in Roman Typhoon. Image by - Bradley Photographers

Two trials have underlined the fact that Roman Typhoon has ability and this race will be a true test of just how genuine that ability is. The bulk of the field are first starters but several have good trial form which makes this a race full of interest.

Roman Typhoon ran second in his first trial, at Scone, but after missing the start ambled up to the leaders and could easily have won had Grant Buckley not eased him down near the line. He was just as impressive in winning his second trial, at Muswellbrook, despite running about. Buckley also rode him in that trial but Jeff Penza goes on in the race.

“I am excited about him but I am trying to keep that excitement in check because in racing you can have so many disappointments,” Bowen said. “My one worry is that the race might be too short but he has a big stride and the long straight will help.”

Roman Typhoon has been nominated for the Inglis Sires' during next month's The Championships but Bowen said that has been done purely as a precaution: “I think It will come too quickly for him and he would have to win a really good race beforehand to even qualify,” she said.

The Warwick Farm-trained Miss Catmosphere from the Matthew Smith stable and Paul Perry’s pair, Matchfox and Miss Victa all come into the race with strong trial form.

Should Roman Typhoon win the elation will be tempered, no doubt, when Bowen saddles up Exit Only in the Pierro @ Coolmore Class One (1280m) for his first start since a spell: “He always gives the impression he is going to win easily then does not go on with it,” Bowen said. “I think the problem is in his head.”

SELECTIONS 1-1.20, MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST MARCH YEARLING SALE 2YO MAIDEN, 900m: ROMAN TYPHOON 1, Catmosphere 2, Matchfox 3, Miss Victa 4. 2-1.55, PANZER DIVISION @ ARROWFIELD STUD CLASS ONE, 1280m: GONE TO PARIS 1, Libertine Miss 2, Kevacca’s Girl 3, Silent Dream 4. 3-2.35, MT ARTHUR COAL MAIDEN, 900m: TRUST ME 1, Old Friends 2, Meteor In Sight 3, Gai’s Quest 4. 4-3.10, PIERRO @ COOLMORE CLASS ONE, 1280m: ZIJIN CHENG 1, Dalmatia Prince 2, Our Chad 3, Bend It Like Benny 4. 5-3.50, HORSEPOWER MAIDEN, 1450m: REFUGE BAY 1, Mistress Rose 2, Rokda Kasba 3, Sneaky Glance 4. 6-4.25, BENGALLA MINING BENCHMARK 59 1750m: CROWN MOSS 1, Lippy And Pearls 2, As Good As It Gets 3, Packen 4. 7-5.05, GODOLPHIN CLASS THREE, 1500m: EXITOZO 1, Element Of Luck 2, Flaming Commodity 3, Net Effect 4. 8-5.40, TAB.COM.AU BENCHMARK 54, 900m: ONE IMPERFECTION 1, Felicette 2, Sweet Lyrical 3, Emo Girl 4. Best Bets: Refuge Bay, Exitozo

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Muswellbrook here