Baker’s duo eyes back-to-back success in Magic Millions

On face value, Gimcrack placegetter Masvingo would be the pick of Bjorn Baker’s duo in Wednesday’s $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2yo Classic (1100m), but stablemate Paradoxium is set to show he’s taken some giant leaps.

That’s the view of Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton as the stable eyes back-to-back successes in the Wyong feature following O’ Ole’s win a year ago.

Leading Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker is hungry for more success in Wyong.Credit: Getty Images

Masvingo produced an eye-catching effort in the Gimcrack two months ago, coming from last on the turn to run third, while Paradoxium sat close to the pace and ran fourth in the Breeders’ Plate on the same day.

“I think Paradoxium has definitely improved a lot physically and his trials have been very good, Masvingo showed a little bit more in the first prep than he did but I think he’s caught up this time,” Hilton said.

“She has the score on the board with a really good run in the Gimcrack and she’s handling everything very well.

“They put their hand up early and have come back in good order and improved off their first preparations.

“I’m pretty happy with both of them and if they can both run well we’ll look to plot a path to the Magic Millions where we might split them up.”

Hilton said it’s there for all to see that Paradoxium’s two barrier trial wins leading into his Magic Millions return have been strong and he’d expect that to transfer to race day.

“He only had a short break of three weeks off and he put on good condition, he grew a bit and got a bit stronger,” he said.

“He has a great attitude and we’re starting to see the benefits on the track. He’s shown he has sharp speed early if he needs it which should be advantageous around Wyong.”

O’ Ole parlayed her Wyong win a year ago into victory in the Gold Coast Magic Millions and the Baker camp is hopeful she can return to her best in the Magic Millions Wyong 3yo & 4yo Stakes (1200m).

The three-year-old filly has raced once since her Gold Coast win in January and Hilton said her failure at Flemington came with plenty of excuses.

“We’ve got to give her the benefit of the doubt, she was trialling well and going well at home prior to that first-up run,” he said.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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