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
Deakin gears up for Caulfield Cup start
Deakin is poised to launch his Caulfield Cup campaign with his initial outing at Caulfield this Saturday.With the Melbourne Cup now out of contention for the French-bred stayer, trainer Phillip and Tommy Stokes are singularly focused on Deakin's preparation.The Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) on Saturday marks the beginning, leading into...
King Charles III Stakes is the target for Autumn Glow
The decision regarding Autumn Glow's primary spring carnival objective has been announced by owner John Messara and trainer Chris Waller, bringing an end to months of speculation.Having been awarded Australian Horse of the Year at the Racing Night of Champions ceremony in Sydney on Thursday evening, Autumn Glow had attracted...
Jimmysstar ready for Melbourne return in Memsie Stakes
Jimmysstar is slated to make one of his infrequent Victorian appearances, commencing his spring campaign at Caulfield in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper has been a consistent performer and a significant money-earner for the stable, boasting over $8.8 million in prize money from 11 wins and nine...
Morphettville beckons for project galloper Chief Little Rock
It's never a simple task to refine a horse that has previously been under the guidance of Irish racing luminary Aidan O'Brien.However, this is precisely the undertaking for Ballarat trainer Patrick Kearney with Chief Little Rock, a galloper formerly owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams and with a prior connection...
Revengeance primed for spring campaign start
Adrian Bott is anticipating a profitable spring carnival outcome from his patient approach with the returning galloper Revengeance, who is set to make his reappearance in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill.The colt was sidelined from the autumn carnival after a knee surgery to remove bone chips, an issue that...
Untapped colt Southend's spring targets remain flexible
According to Sterling Alexiou, the team is still in the process of understanding the untapped colt Southend. The early stages of his campaign will be crucial in shaping his spring racing plans.The three-year-old is set to resume in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill this...
Another Wil targets confidence boost at Caulfield
Ciaron Maher, the trainer, along with the connections of Another Wil, are hopeful of securing a confidence-boosting victory at Caulfield.Instead of contesting a more prestigious race like the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, Another Wil is slated to compete in the Evergreen Turf Handicap, also over 1400 metres.It...
Gavin Bedggood well-positioned for Heatherlie Stakes
Trainer Gavin Bedggood from Cranbourne appears to have all bases covered regarding track conditions for his two contenders in the upcoming Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield.The Listed 1700-metre handicap on Saturday will feature Kingswood, who is first-up, and the race-fit Just Folk.Bedggood expressed a preference for drier ground for Kingswood, whereas...
Althoff's spring campaign plans are flexible
In-form gelding Althoff is currently positioned as the fourth favourite in early markets for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, though his connections are still assessing his suitability as a genuine miler.The five-year-old, owned by the Yulong family and a winner up to 1400m, recorded a fifth-place finish in the 2024...
Tom Kitten set for second Memsie Stakes attempt
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable is targeting a better outcome for Tom Kitten in the upcoming Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.A year ago, Tom Kitten was a late withdrawal from the Group 1 race over 1400 metres after becoming unsettled in the barriers.This incident impacted Tom Kitten's spring campaign, with...