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
Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising is in peak form for Everest defence
Legendary trainer David Hayes is confident that Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising is a more formidable sprinter now than when he last competed in Sydney, ahead of his attempt to secure a second consecutive Group 1 $20 million TAB Everest title at Royal Randwick on Saturday."Ka Ying Rising is...
Skyhook faces distance query in Silver Eagle bid
Connections of Skyhook have only one concern, a drop in distance, as the four-year-old aims to secure his fourth consecutive victory in this Saturday's $1 million Silver Eagle at Randwick.Since adopting on-pace tactics, the four-year-old has hit a purple patch of form, winning the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) in May and...
Wine Dark Sea impresses Damian Lane ahead of Caulfield Cup bid
It's a familiar sight to see Damian Lane partnering with international gallopers in the Spring Carnival's major races, but this Saturday's Caulfield Cup sees a change of rider for the overseas contender.The in-form jockey is set to ride the English stayer Wine Dark Sea in the 150th running of the...
Chris Waller's Caulfield Cup Field Yet to Be Finalised
Track gallops and prevailing weather conditions will be key factors in determining the final lineup for trainer Chris Waller's Caulfield Cup contenders.Currently, six of the 34 horses remaining in contention for the 150th running of the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday are under Waller's care. Horses confirmed to be in...
Autumn Glow primed for King Charles III Stakes challenge
Kerrin McEvoy, who warmed the saddle for James McDonald, has given his tick of approval to Autumn Glow ahead of her primary campaign goal, the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick.With McDonald occupied at Caulfield for the Guineas meeting, McEvoy partnered the star mare in a 1000m solo exhibition gallop...
Formal Display's impressive form continues towards The Big Dance
The reputation of Formal Display as one of racing's most rapidly improving horses was further enhanced by a characteristically gritty win in the Group 3 $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.Having begun the year competing in a humble benchmark 78 event, Formal Display has maintained...
Lady Shenandoah triumphs in the Toorak Handicap
The dominant duo of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald has reached a milestone of 66 Group 1 wins together, courtesy of Lady Shenandoah's impressive victory in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.Following McDonald's advice, Waller opted to send Lady Shenandoah to Melbourne for the 1600m Group 1 Handicap on...
King and Warwoven dominate Caulfield Guineas
Warwoven has further pressed his credentials as Australia's leading colt with a superb victory in the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.The Bjorn Baker-trained star validated his commanding Golden Rose win, overcoming the best 1600-metre three-year-olds Victoria had to offer in his Melbourne debut.He now joins the elite...
Attrition triumphs over Lindermann in the Hill Stakes
Mitchell Freedman, the young trainer, declared 'it's what you do it for' as his tough campaigner Attrition battled past fellow war horse Lindermann to secure his second victory in the $2 million Hill Stakes.Attrition, who won the Group 2 feature in 2024 and finished second to Lindermann twelve months prior,...
Land Legend delivers shock Might And Power victory
The Might And Power Stakes has lived up to its reputation as a punting pitfall, with another favourite failing to salute at Caulfield.The $1.40 elect, Sheza Alibi, was the latest to fall in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age race on Saturday, a fate that befell Treasurethe Moment ($1.60) last year,...