Cyclone has only recorded one race win in his ten career starts, but trainer Bjorn Baker believes that the promising gelding will have every chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping that Cyclone can deliver him another major race win at the Magic Millions. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Cyclone made his debut for the Baker stable when he recorded his maiden race win at Canterbury on October 24, but he was unable to replicate that performance in two starts at benchmark level before he returned to a semblance of his best form with a fast-finishing third behind Aerobar and Echo Gal in the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes (1200m) on December 18.
Baker told Racing Ahead that he was very happy with the performance of Cyclone in the Wyong Magic Millions Stakes and he is confident that the Sebring gelding is close to his peak for the Magic Millions Guineas, but hopes that the Gold Coast track continues to improve heading into Saturday’s meeting.
“It was a good run that day and I think that will have him bang on for Saturday,” Baker said.
“1400 is probably what he is looking for.
“He has been up for a while and I think with Damien Oliver on he is going to have every chance.
“I think there will be plenty of speed on to, which will help split them out, and hopefully that will help him find room when he needs it.
“Last time over 1400 was at Kensington and it was a very shifty track that day and he didn’t like it.
“That is one other question mark and I would prefer it if the track was on the good side come Saturday.”
The 2015 Magic Millions Guineas barrier draw was conducted on the beach at Surfers Paradise yesterday morning and Cyclone was one of the biggest winners after drawing the inside gate.
Baker revealed that he still expects jockey Damien Oliver to settle Cyclone towards the early stages of the Magic Millions Guineas and he admits that the three-year-old will likely need some luck in running in the final 400 metres.
“It just means that we cover no ground,” Baker said.
“He is going to get back either way and hopefully he can have some luck.
“At the 600 metres if he can find some clear area I think it will be a good draw, but that is the big question mark and we won’t know until the day.”
Cyclone is currently available at 2015 Magic Millions Guineas odds of $12 with Ladbrokes.
