Paradoxium excels in Flemington straight test
Trainer Bjorn Baker experienced a sense of déjà vu, recalling his past Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis, as Paradoxium made its way down the Flemington straight.
Paradoxium clinched the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday, setting the stage for a potential follow-up to Ozzmosis's success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
This was Paradoxium's debut run in Melbourne on Saturday, and Baker deemed it the perfect lead-up event for a return to Flemington in late October to contest the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Under the guidance of jockey Jason Collett, Paradoxium ($3.50) dictated terms from the front, crossing the line a length ahead of the $2.80 favourite Mbube, with Big Sky ($8.50) a further half-neck back in third.
Ozzmosis triumphed in the 2023 Coolmore Stud Stakes on his Melbourne debut, and Baker is aiming for a similar outcome with Paradoxium.
Paradoxium is slated to return to Sydney for the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) next month, which will serve as its final preparatory race before the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
"That's exciting seeing a beautiful colt like that," Baker said.
"He's got a great attitude and a great action. Speaking pre-race, I did everything but declare him.
"Hopefully we can get back here for the Coolmore. He reminded me a bit of Ozzmosis half-way through that run.
"You dream, and you dream big."
When asked if he could draw comparisons between Ozzmosis and Saturday's winner, Baker indicated that Paradoxium still has its entire racing career ahead.
"Ozzmosis is retired and has beautiful yearlings," Baker commented.
"This guy still has his whole career in front of him, and I think he's got a good future.
"I love coming down here and I thought he was a good chance.
"He was very good and he had to carry a little bit more weight than the others as well."
Collett shared his observations of Paradoxium's progress from its two-year-old campaign.
He noted that the colt’s last two trackwork sessions leading up to Saturday had been impressive, and he had felt the tangible improvement on each occasion.
"We were pretty happy coming into today and this was a good result, being able to do it down the straight," Collett stated.
"It fell apart late last campaign. He had a pretty big setback and we did well to get him to win the Todman, but it all probably just happened a bit soon.
"Development wise, he's not huge but he's thickening up and performing down the straight, so we're very happy."
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