Music Magnate (NZ) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) provided trainer Bjorn Baker with his first Group 1 victory when winning the G1 James Boag's Premium Doomben 10,000 at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy the gelding came from a long way back in a race run at a strong pace and he hit the front a furlong out going on to beat Azkadallia (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) by a length with Charlie Boy (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) a short-head back in third. With such a fierce early gallop that lead to a time of 1:17:77, the third fastest since 1975, McEvoy was happy to bide his time early and let the race pan out before launching his challenge between runners in the final furlong and once he got to the front he was always doing enough to win and make the breakthrough at the top level. Speaking to racing.com the winning rider commenting, “Bjorn said to me before the race that it was going to be a game of chess. I didn't expect them to be going that quick but it played in to our hands and he was terrific late. It is pleasing for the connections and it's pleasing for the horse. He is building up a great record now, all he wants to do is gallop for you. It is great to ride these horses.” McEvoy added, “His form may not have suggested he was a genuine Group 1 weight-for-age horse but he is improving all the time and did a great job today.” Music Magnate came into his biggest test to date off the back of a second place finish two weeks ago in a Listed race at Scone. He had previously announced his arrival in pattern company when taking the G3 Hallmark S. at Randwick April 16 over six furlongs and he proved the extra distance was well within his grasp on Saturday. For trainer Bjorn Baker, who has been training since 2011, it was a landmark day, his previous biggest victory being with Unencumbered (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}) in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2014. “Our stable has been chugging along great, the team has been enjoying terrific success but the thing we had been missing was that Group 1 win,” said Baker. “This is a great feeling, it is a huge thrill to get the monkey off my back. Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for myself, having won the Magic Millions up here with Unencumbered.” Ciaron Maher trainer of the runner up Azkadellia was left rueing what might have been had the race unfolded a bit differently and commented, “The speed of the race just took the zip out of her. Mark [Zahra] had to push the button a little too early to make sure she was close enough on the turn. She will be much better at 1400m with that run under her belt and I'd imagine the Eagle Farm track will have a little more give in it.” Favourite backers probably knew their fate early as Fell Swoop (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) ran too free with his rider Zac Purton explaining,“I couldn't control him and then when Two Blue crossed I had to get to his outside because he wasn't easing up.”
Doomben 10,000 S.-G1, A$750,000, Doomben, 5-28, wfa, 1350mT, 1:17.77, gd.
1–&MUSIC MAGNATE (NZ) , 59.0, g, 4, by Written Tycoon (Aus)
1st Dam: Concert Girl, by Danehill Dancer (IRE)
2nd Dam: Review (NZ), by Star Way (GB)
3rd Dam: Chaleyer, by Covetous (AUS)
(NZ$45,000 Ylg 2013 NZB National Yearling Sale) O-S W Britton, DR Frampton, D R Mcevoy, C J Milton, W J Williams, G A Quinn, T M Sullivan, S J Billingsley, Cobbitty Lodge Stud & Stables (Mgr: Dr J G Morris), Written Tycoon Racing; B-NZ Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd, Waikato, NZ; T-Bjorn Baker; J-K Mc Evoy; A$480,000. Lifetime Record: 12-6-4-1, A$825,125. Werk Nick Rating: A++ Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Azkadellia (NZ), 57.0, m, 4, Shinko King (IRE) –Raving (NZ), by Centaine. O-B Connolly; B-C R Linton, Central, NZ; T-C Maher; J-M Zahra; A$150,000.
3–Charlie Boy (Aus), 59.0, g, 5, Myboycharlie (IRE) –Maritime, by Falbrav (IRE).
(A$80,000 Ylg 2012 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale) O-M J Mulcahy, J M Saunders, G D Dickenson, A G Smith, M J Botfield, R J Milton, J H Hezlett C F L Racing (Mgr: J Lloyd) Triple Crown Syndications (Mgr: C H Ward) & Campbell Graham R; B-Wilkes Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd NSW; T-P & P Snowden; J-D J Browne; A$75,000.
Margins: 0.8, 0.9, 1.0. Odds: 9.5, 3.8, 18.0. Also Ran: Delectation (Aus), Dothraki (Aus), Fell Swoop (Aus), Hooked (Aus), Scarlet Billows (Aus), Two Blue (Aus). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.
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