Trainer Bjorn Baker is confident that Unencumbered will perform well in the Wyong Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1100m) this afternoon and warrant a trip to the Gold Coast for the $2 million edition of the race next year.
Unencumbered stamped himself as a Magic Millions contender with a strong win in the Ascend Sale Trophies Plate. Photo by: Steve Hart
Unencumbered has been well backed in 2013 Wyong Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic betting markets after winning the Ascend Sale Trophies Plate (1000m) at the Randwick Kensington track on December 7 and producing two strong performances in the Sharp Plate (1000m) and Men Of League Plate (1100m) at the start of his campaign.
Baker told Racing Ahead this morning that he believes Unencumbered has taken plenty of improvement out of each of his runs since making his racing debut and is confident the son of Testa Rossa is primed for today’s event.
“He has a fantastic attitude and I think that he has improved,” Baker said.
“He had two runs his first prep and I think if anything he has developed physically.
“He is a better horse even from when he won at Kensington last time; he just sat off, relaxed and just powered home.
“I think that should hold him in good stead going forward.”
Unencumbered is currently rated in the top six chances for the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic at the Gold Coast on January 11 next year but Baker said that it is a delicate balancing act to get a horse to the $2 million race.
The rising trainer said that he will wait and see how Unencumbered runs this afternoon before confirming that the juvenile will head to Queensland but is buoyant about his charges chances.
“It is very much one step at a time and see how they go,” Baker said.
“They have to be precocious enough and smart enough to warrant having a crack and then they have to stay sound.
“It is not easy but if you get them there the rewards are great.
“It is very much early days and two-year-olds can do a lot wrong.
“We will just see how he runs and I think that he will run really well.
“I guess there is only six in it but if we press onto the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast he is already in the field because we have already won enough money to get it.
“We will just see where he goes but I am sure that he will run well today and sure he will warrant the trip up.”
Unencumbered ($2.40) is currently on the second line of Wyong Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic betting behind Garry Frazer-trained Sheer Style ($2).
