Racing
Paradoxium ready for final MM test
Magic Millions fancy Paradoxium has arrived in Brisbane ahead of the B J McLachlan Stakes.
A final, resounding piece of trackwork has boom colt Paradoxium poised to cement his Magic Millions favouritism in the B J McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm.
The youngster rounded out preparations for Saturday's race with a hit-out at Warwick Farm on Tuesday before making the float trip to Brisbane where he arrived safely on Christmas Eve.
"He travelled overnight so he has arrived at Eagle Farm, and I'm excited about Saturday," trainer Bjorn Baker said.
"He worked with a mate on Tuesday, and his work was really good. Rachel King rode him, (regular jockey) Jason Collett is away, and he looked to recover very well."
A solid fourth in the Breeders' Plate (1000m) on debut in October, Paradoxium raised the bar with a dominant win in a key lead-up race at Wyong on December 10.
He has sat atop markets for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) since and will be aiming to give Baker his third success in the January 17 showpiece following victories by Unencumbered (2014) and O' Ole (2024).
The latter completed her build-up in Sydney, but Baker chose to put Paradoxium on the path blazed by Unencumbered, who was successful at Wyong before claiming the B J McLachlan Stakes-Magic Millions Classic double.
He said the three-week break between the Queensland features this season made the timing even more appealing.
"It's individual to the horse," Baker said.
"The year Unencumbered won, there was a shorter turnaround and now we've got three weeks, so it works a lot better. In terms of the preparation, this year we're a lot happier."
Paradoxium will be stretching to 1200m for the first time Saturday and while Baker admits that is a query, he says the colt has a strong foundation and won't be lacking on the score of fitness.
"It's always a bit of a question mark with a two-year-old, but he's had a good base," he said.
"He had two trials into that race, and I think he's ready to run a good race."
Stablemate Masvingo, who finished third to Paradoxium at Wyong, also remains in the Magic Millions mix and will be out to secure her place in the Gold Coast field when she steps out in the 1100m juvenile race at Randwick on Saturday.
"She will improve a lot from Wyong. Even if she runs second or third, up to 1200 (at the Gold Coast) she will be really well suited," Baker said.
Amor Victorious was a dual acceptor for Sydney and Brisbane and Baker confirmed he would line up in the Seven Members Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm, adding he had thrived since his brave sixth in The Ingham (1600m).
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