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By Ray Hickson

A second chapter to the fairytale story of bargain buy Where’s The Circus would be considered a bonus by trainer Paul Murray as he eyes the riches on offer in Saturday’s $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick.

Trainer Paul Murray (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The $1250 filly has already returned 184 times her purchase price having scored a surprise debut win as a $51 chance in the Inglis Nursery in December so Murray and the other owners are already well in front.

Murray said it was natural to want to aim at the Millennium, given the prizemoney on offer, but regardless of the result he’ll send the horse to the paddock a very happy man.

“You just like to see them come through, win a couple of races for your owners and have a bit of fun,’’ Murray said.

“It started out with a lot of fun and if she never wins another race we’re really happy with her. She’ll do us proud on the weekend.

“We trained a couple of the mare’s progeny before her, we had a bit of fun with them and won a few races for us.

“We thought we’d have a crack at this one because she was a bit better bred you could say.

“She doesn’t know how much she cost. She just goes out and does her job.”

The Kembla Grange trainer prepared one of Where’s The Circus’ half-sisters Can’t Find Snippy to run third in the Inglis Classic, which later became the Millennium, back in 2016.

An injury to winning jockey Jean Van Overmeire meant Murray had to go looking for a new rider and Jay Ford will fill the saddle on Saturday.

Ford has been able to ride the filly in a couple of exhibition gallops on her home track in the lead up to the race and Murray is content he has her ready to run well.

“He was glad to have the chance to get to know her a bit better,’’ he said.

“We’ve never pushed her hard, when JVO trialled on her and won on her he said he hadn’t even tested her. The biggest test will be on Saturday.

“It’s a different field, it’s a lot harder, but - win, lose, or draw - she doesn’t have to do us any more proud.”

Where’s The Circus, $26 with TAB on Wednesday, made every post a winner in the Nursery and held a comfortable 1-1/4 length margin on the line.

Ford will have all options open to him with Murray wary the element of surprise the filly had on debut is now gone, though she remains a little on the underestimated side.

“Some of the better ones drawn wide will have to work across but he’ll have free rein, he’s ridden her and seen her race,’’ Murray said.

“Two-year-olds can do anything really, they can miss the jump or come out running like she did at her first start.

“I thought between (barrier) one and five would be ideal for us, there’s a couple of good chances drawn very wide and it makes it a bit easier for us we hope.

“We’ve just got to turn up and see what she can do.”

When Murray sends Where’s The Circus to the paddock following the Millennium his attention will turn to ramping up Harry’s Bar’s bid for the Provincial-Midway Championships series.

He’s pencilled in the Gosford qualifier over 1200m on March 14 as her first-up run, that will be preceded by a jump out on her home track in two weeks and a barrier trial.

Where's The Circus wins the Inglis Nursery

“She’s right on track, I’m very happy with her,’’ he said.

“She’s spelled that good, she’s so powerful and strong. She’s really matured now and this will be her best preparation.”

Harry’s Bar has won two from 13 and was last seen running third behind Modella in a 1400m Midway back in October.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick