Doomben 10,000 2016: Music Magnate strikes high note for in-form trainer Bjorn Baker
TAB BIG BETS: BJORN Baker’s purple patch of form ascended into Group 1 glory as Music Magnate won the third fastest Doomben 10,000 since the conversion to metrics.
BJORN Baker’s purple patch of form ascended into Group 1 glory as Music Magnate won the third fastest Doomben 10,000 on Saturday since the conversion to metrics.
The trainer has boasted the best strike rate in the country over recent months and his long-range plan to target Brisbane paid dividends as Music Magnate rose to a new peak on Saturday.
“I thought he was well set up today and it’s great to see him do it at this level,” Baker said.
“I’ve got a really good team and things have been going well. The only thing we didn’t have was the Group 1. I do love spending time in Queensland!”
Kerrin McEvoy was able to settle Music Magnate in the sweet spot and he finished best, fending off a mid-straight challenge from Azkadellia and safely holding the finishing efforts of Charlie Boy and Delectation.
“I didn’t expect them to go that quick, but we were able to get into a nice rhythm and I knew he was going to be strong at the end,” McEvoy said.
McEvoy has enjoyed a golden run in Queensland over the past 12 months, claiming the Stradbroke and Tatts Tiara on Srikandi last year and now this carnival claiming the Doomben Cup on Our Ivanhowe last week and the Doomben 10,000, a race he also won on Epaulette in 2013.
“I’ve been lucky enough to get on the right horses up here,” McEvoy said.
The story of the race though was the suicidal early tempo, where they went through the first 750m in a blistering 42.05, setting up the fast overall time.
Stewards questioned Paul King (Two Blue), Jim Byrne (Hooked) and Zac Purton (Fell Swoop) after the trio set up a big early lead on the rest of the field.
“He was too fierce and I couldn’t hold mine,” Purton said. “I was trying to let the leader go and had to strangle him. He was pulling quite hard from the 1200m.”
Byrne said it was a bump from Purton that forced his hand to go forward and pressure Two Blue for the lead.
“When Zac came out and bumped my horse I was just into the bridle,” Byrne said.
Chief steward Allan Reardon told Byrne he “erred” by trying to keep Purton inside him.
“It would have been lovely if you could have come back off them, but it’s easier in hindsight,” Reardon said.
Azkadellia lost no admirers from a Stradbroke point of view, with Ciaron Maher believing she will be better at Eagle Farm where there will be more give in the surface.
Mark Zahra said the race just didn’t pan out for him because he was forced to make such a long run.
“She ran really good. They absolutely flew and to catch them I let rip,” he said. “But when I got up to them I had sort of spent my carrots getting there. And then late he (Music Magnate) probably just held me.
“But she will improve a lot going to Eagle Farm and the Straddy has always been the target race.’’
TAB big bets
DOOMBEN 10,000
There was a huge push for Fell Swoop. With $6 available late Friday, punters really came for the Canberra-trained runner to see it start joint $3.70 favourite.
Azkadellia ($2.80-$3.70) eased but there was very little in terms of holds between her and Fell Swoop.
Due to the popularity for the favoured runners, Music Magnate ($7-$11) was on the drift but finished powerfully off a strong speed to take out the Group 1.
BETS: Fell Swoop $6000 @ $3.70; Delectation $5000 @ $6; Azkadellia $2500 @ $3.20
STRADBROKE HANDICAP
Azkadellia $4.40-$4.60
Ghisoni $11-$7.50 – after winning Glenlogan Park Stakes
Music Magnate $14-$9 – after winning Doomben 10000
Delectation $11-$14
Dothraki $11-$14
MARKET: TAB Fixed Odds
JJ ATKINS
Sacred Elixir $9-$5 – after being unplaced in the Sires Produce
Souchez $3.50-$5 – after being unplaced in the Sires Produce
Candika $15-$9 – after being unplaced in the Sires Produce
MARKET: TAB Fixed Odds
QLD DERBY
Mackintosh $2.80-$3.20 – after winning Grand Prix Stakes
Eagle Way $10-$5 – after finishing second in the Grand Prix Stakes
Howard Be Thy Name $7-$5 – after finishing third in the Grand Prix Stakes
MARKET: TAB Fixed Odds
Originally published as Doomben 10,000 2016: Music Magnate strikes high note for in-form trainer Bjorn Baker
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