The star of Unencumbered has continued to rise in taking out the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast last Saturday.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt had only tasted defeat once in his short career to date and contested the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) searching for a fourth straight success.
Unencumbered after a brief freshen following his lone career feat had gone from strength to strength during the month of December recording three victories.
The son of Testa Rossa won fresh on the Kensington track on December 7 with the success given a Timeform rating of 106.
A one length victory then came in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) before Unencumbered recorded his first career win at Group level when claiming the B.J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
After such a convincing December, Unencumbered understandably lined up as favourite in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
Away well from an inside barrier, jockey Nathan Berry settled Unencumbered seventh behind a solid tempo.
It all panned out perfectly for the pair who found themselves in clear running not long upon straightening.
The turn of foot Unencumbered produced during December was again showcased as he strode to the lead a furlong from home before claiming the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Another favourite in Oakleigh Girl fought on well for second while Ruby Soho ran third.
The strength of the 2014 Magic Millions 2YO Classic will be put under the microscope later in the season however for now the winning display of Unencumbered yielded a Timeform rating of 115.
That figure comes in as the colt’s new master rating, five pounds clear of his B.J McLachlan performance a fortnight earlier.
Baker will now return to Sydney with Unencumbered and plot a path toward the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 5.
While Magic Millions won’t count toward Unencumbered’s prizemoney for the Golden Slipper Order Of Entry, two successes at Randwick and also the B.J Mclachlan confirms the colt of a start.
Baker can pick and choose Golden Slipper lead up races for Unencumbered who at present is third favourite for the lucrative contest.
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic – Golden Slipper double has been claimed twice previously, by Dance Hero in 2004 and Phelan Ready during 2009.
Unencumbered now sits atop of the two-year-old crop this season based on ratings with his latest master figure clear of the 113+ Earthquake recorded in her dominant debut victory last November.
Interstate raiders dominated the Magic Millions carnival with the invasion spearheaded by Gai Waterhouse who enjoyed a winning treble.
All three victories were impressive in their own right although Sweet Idea did return the highest winning figure of the trio which also included the Star Thoroughbreds raced pair of Whittington (Magic Millions Sprint) and Driefontein (Magic Millions Quality).
Yet to finish out of the money in nine career starts, Sweet Idea has amassed prizemoney earnings of near $1.5million
This impressive figure she boasts is largely due to a clear cut success in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).
The daughter of Snitzel always looked to have the event safely in her keeping, dictating the tempo after jumping perfectly from barrier 13.
Under the guidance of James McDonald, Sweet Idea pinched a break upon straightening and maintained it to the line.
Estonian Princess chased her home in vain for second while race favourite Enquare ran third.
Sweet Idea equalled her peak figure of 113 last Saturday first achieved when second in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) earlier in the season where she incurred a three month ban for bleeding.
While not in the same calibre of notable Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winners Gold Edition (2007, 122) and Haha (2002, 121), Sweet Idea’s success did come in well above the previous five-year-winning average for the event.
The autumn now beckons Sweet Idea where the Coolmore Classic is her likely Group 1 goal.
