Bjorn Baker mare unleeshes to give James McDonald soft double
James McDonald enjoyed a perfect midweek warm-up ahead of the Magic Millions, steering home two winners at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday.
The world-class jockey partnered debutant Astronomix to victory for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton before producing a clinical display aboard Bjorn Baker-trained favourite Unleeshing.
Fresh from a narrow third in Benchmark 78 grade, Unleeshing dropped back to the Myplates Benchmark 64 (1550m) and justified strong market support, starting $1.55.
McDonald settled the MyRacehorse syndicate mare in a handy stalking position, peeled off heels entering the straight and powered clear, scoring by four lengths over Shanoni ($14), with Kilkenny ($3.80) another length away.
As Baker counts down to the Magic Millions with Warwoven, racing manager Luke Hilton was satisfied with the manner of the win.
“It was an easy win,” Hilton said.
“She might even get a little bit further and hopefully she takes some confidence.”
McDonald said the race unfolded exactly as he expected.
“That was painless, she never felt like she was ever going to lose,” McDonald said.
“They just dawdled the first furlong and a half, and then obviously a little bit of pace got injected. We ended up in a good spot and away she went.”
“There’s about a million owners so I’m sure there’s uncles and sisters and brothers that are related to anyone in the horse!”
Attention now turns to the Gold Coast, with betting markets available across trusted betting platforms for Saturday’s Magic Millions card.
McDonald will have eight rides at the meeting, including Knightsbridge in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Memo in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas for Peter Snowden.
The post Bjorn Baker mare unleeshes to give James McDonald soft double first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Waving the Wand over another win
After taking time to find his feet early in his career, Six Of Wands is now hitting his stride and will attempt to make it three wins in a row when he lines up at Ipswich on Thursday. The Gordon’s Gin Benchmark 58 Handicap (1350m) presents another suitable stepping stone as...
Maher sizes up the competition in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Ciaron Maher is no stranger to Magic Millions success and believes he has assembled the right team to mount another serious challenge in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic this Saturday. The master trainer will rely on Maribyrnong Plate winner Tornado Valley and exciting Caulfield debutant Unit Five in the $3 million...
Freedman seeks first Magic Millions Carnival success
Michael Freedman will chase a long-awaited Magic Millions Carnival breakthrough on Saturday, with Ninja set to carry the stable’s hopes in the $3 million 3YO Guineas. The gelding announced himself as the Guineas standout when powering to a 4.8-length victory in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) on January 3,...
Star race horses down to trial at Randwick
The traditional gap between Spring and Autumn appears almost non-existent, with several of the nation’s headline horses set to trial at Randwick on Thursday. Via Sistina, Sir Delius, Autumn Glow and Aeliana are among the big names preparing to kick off their Autumn campaigns on the Kensington track. Autumn Glow, hailed as...
Yulong’s Extreme measures at 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast
Yulong’s success with Extreme Choice continued at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on Wednesday, as the powerhouse owner secured the standout lot of Day 2 for $2 million. The Victorian operation paid top dollar for a colt by Extreme Choice out of the Hinchinbrook mare Hazlebrook, hoping to replicate...
Warwoven firms after 2026 Magic Millions Classic barrier draw
Warwoven has tightened his grip on Magic Millions favouritism after drawing barrier six for Saturday’s Magic Millions 2yo Classic. The unbeaten Sword Of State colt has been dominant in two starts, culminating in a commanding 3.3-length Eagle Farm win on January 3. Bjorn Baker, who claimed the race last year with...
Frankel colt stars on Day 1 at Magic Millions 2026
A striking Frankel colt became the first $2 million lot of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with Coolmore’s Tom Magnier landing the prized youngster after a spirited battle. The colt, raised at Segenhoe Stud, is out of Lonhro mare Antibes and is a brother to emerging three-year-old Chateau Eze. Breeder...
All set for 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale
Aside from the year disrupted by Equine Influenza, the build-up to Australia’s first live yearling sale of the season has never been longer, with Magic Millions now poised to begin on the Gold Coast. The iconic Gold Coast Yearling Sale, which attracts buyers from across the globe, kicks off on Tuesday...
Trainer Ciaron Maher Dreaming of Magic Millions redemption
Icarian Dream did not have the run of the race in last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but Ciaron Maher is ready to give her another opportunity on the Gold Coast stage. The filly by Blue Point will line up in Saturday’s $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, chasing a turnaround...
Munce team is zipped and set for 2026 Magic Millions Day
As some leading chances in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic paraded at the Gold Coast on Saturday, others opted for a quieter build-up, with Zip Lock ticking over earlier in the day. The Hellbent colt surged into calculations for the $3 million Classic with his victory in the Group 3 B.J....