Bjorn Baker already has the Magic Millions favourite Paradoxium, but he wants to have as many runners as possible in January’s $3 million classic at the Gold Coast and a couple more will appear this weekend.
It is about managing his team’s contenders, so Modernist will head to Friday’s Magic Millions Debut, while Warwoven will start his career at Randwick on Saturday.
“They have both won barrier trials, and it was important to keep them apart, so they both get the chance to win a race,” Baker said.
“The Magic Millions is a race you want to maximise your runners to give yourself the most chances.”
“Modernist has been through the stable a couple of times, and has drawn well on the Gold Coast. I think Gai’s [Lumbini] will be hard to beat, but she’s a nice filly and it’s good money up there.”
The Debut is worth $250,000, which would probably see the winner and runner-up get into the Magic Millions and, surprisingly, has only fillies in the eight-runner field.
Warwoven stays in Sydney after he came from off the speed in his only trial last week, running 33.31 for the final 600m, in winning his only public hit out.
“He is very natural and the way he won the trial points to him being right in the race on Saturday, although he has to take on the Gimcrack winner [Shiki],” Baker said.
“He has really improved since that trial and he looks like a horse that is going to measure up.”
Shiki opened a $1.70 favourite, but the money flowed for Warwoven immediately on Wednesday as he was backed from $4.60 to $3.70 to be a clear second pick in betting.
Baker will sent Paradoxium, the $3.50 Magic Millions favourite, to the Bruce McLachlan Stakes after Christmas, while Masvingo, who was third in the Wyong Magic Millions, will top off her preparation in Sydney.
“If everything goes right, I could have four in the Magic Millions,” Baker said. “Paradoxium is the colt everyone is talking about and I think he can still go to another level yet.”
“However, Warwoven is very good and we’ll find out how good on Saturday.”
