The Bjorn Baker trained O’ Ole races away for a stunning victory in the 2YO Magic Millions Classic
In an emotion-charged result, O’ Ole has raced away for a stunning victory in the 2YO Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on Friday night.
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THE racing stars aligned in spectacular fashion at the Gold Coast on Friday night with O’ Ole scoring an emotion-charged victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
Trained by Bjorn Baker, who in recent months has been enjoying a remarkable run with his team, O’ Ole was guided to victory by way of a 10/10 Tommy Berry ride to secure his third win in the coveted race.
The stellar win comes 11 years after Tommy’s late brother Nathan steered Unencumbered to victory in the same race for Baker, a win that set the New Zealander on the path to reach the dizzy heights he’s experiencing as a leading trainer in Australia today.
“And she exited the same barrier (3) Unencumbered did for Nathan as well,” an emotional Tommy Berry said.
“Since that day (his passing) they named the trophy after Nathan and it has been the Nathan Berry trophy every year.
“I’ve been sick of handing it out to others and I wanted to win it again. I ride a bit for Bjorn (Baker) who Nathan was pretty much the stable rider for when he passed away.
“The stars aligned today. It is an amazing sport and I am blessed to be a part of it.”
In a whirlwind lead up to the lucrative $3 million event, O’ Ole (Ole Kirk x Vellor), a $325,000 purchase, raced in the club colours after Baker was late to the track after his flight from Sydney was delayed.
“Bjorn’s flight was delayed by about four hours so he only just landed (before the race) and that’s why she raced in the club colours,” said stable representative Jim Clarke.
“I haven’t spoken to Bjorn yet but as they were loading into the gates he messaged me saying ‘I arrived here the other day and met you in the winners’ room and I’ll do the same again today’.
“And he was right. I’d say we’ll all be seeing quite a bit of him now!”
In regards to the effortless manner of the win, Clarke said it came as no real surprise to the stable.
“Bjorn’s had a huge opinion of her,” Clarke said.
“It was all over at the 200 (metres) and it’s just an amazing result.
“This has always been the long term plan. To get her to deliver is an amazing result.
“She was in cherry ripe condition for today and it was a peach of a ride by Tommy.
“She’s been the ultimate professional right from the start.”
O’ Ole ($12) scooped the $1.8 million first prize by 1 ½ lengths on the line from runner-up Memo while Gallo Nero made up ground to fill third another half-length away.
But in what has been dubbed ‘a race within a race’, the $325,000 major prize for the first all-female owned runner across the line went right down to the wire, with The Playwright edging out Vein Girl for fourth placing by the narrowest of margins.
But all was not lost for Vein Girl’s owners, scooping a $100,000 payday on top of the standard prize money.
Directly after O’ Ole’s Magic Millions win, bookmaker TAB slashed her Golden Slipper price from $51 down to $26.
Originally published as The Bjorn Baker trained O’ Ole races away for a stunning victory in the 2YO Magic Millions Classic
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