Bjorn Baker has revealed that star sprinter Music Magnate will be targeted towards the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick when he returns to racing in the upcoming 2017 Autumn Carnival.
Music Magnate will be set for the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes upon resuming this time. Photo: Daniel Costello
Music Magnate made only four appearances at the races in 2016, but undoubtedly found career-best form to date in posting two wins and a minor; highlighted by a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) during the Brisbane winter.
Baker elected to bypass the entire spring season the five-year-old, with a view towards major Autumn Carnival targets including both the Canterbury Stakes and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) during The Championships.
The Written Tycoon gelding impressed Baker during a 741 hit-out at Randwick on Monday morning and the Warwick Farm horseman is confident that he is on track for another standout preparation this time in.
“It’s good to see him back, he looks great,” Baker told Racing Victoria.
“He’s probably never moved better and he’s had a good break since Queensland in the winter so I’m really looking forward to what is hopefully a good preparation.
“He’s the fresh horse on the scene and hopefully that will hold him in good stead in what will be a very tough group of sprinters over the autumn.
“We’ll see how he goes first up but he’ll more than likely head towards the Canterbury Stakes and maybe then into the T.J. Smith.”
Finishing worse than second only once through his first five career starts, Music Magnate will carry an impressive record of six wins and a further five minors through thirteen starts into his 2017 campaign.
Trialling well in the lead-up to his 2016 return, Music Magnate beat a talented field to the line in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m); progressing to second in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) before winning the Doomben 10,000 and ending his season a lacklustre sixteenth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Music Magnate is one of several talented progeny by Written Tycoon currently in work at Baker’s stable, which also includes Magic Millions 3.y.o Guineas favourite Winning Rupert.
