Doomben 10,000 winner Music Magnate will miss the Spring Carnival after picking up a virus after providing trainer Bjorn Baker with his first Group 1 win.
Doomben 10,000 Music Magnate, above, will miss the Spring Carnival. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Music Magnate at $9.50 provided a mini upset in the Group 1 $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) at Doomben on May 28 when he beat the well fancied Azkadellia ($3.80) and $18 chance Charlie Boy and left the $3.40 favourite Fell Swoop lamenting in sixth spot.
Baker then saddle up Music Magnate in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later but the four year old could only manage to beat two home when sixteenth to the Robert Smerdon trained Under The Louvre.
Baker had no choice but to cancel Spring Carnival plans but is looking forward to heading to Melbourne in the Autumn next year with Music Magnate.
“Unfortunately, he just recently had a virus so he’ll be out for the spring and bring him back for the New Year,” Baker told racing.com.
“I wouldn’t mind heading down there (Melbourne).”
Baker was very excited to have won his initial Group 1 race and said it had had been a long road to get Music Magnate to produce his best at the top level.
“He has taken time. As a two year old he didn’t show me too much but he continued to improve and I love the Written Tycoons,” Baker said.
“He hasn’t been straightforward; he had one or two issues.
“We’ve been patient with him and it worked out well.”
Baker had a very successful Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and as well winning one of the major sprints with Music Magnate, two year old Winning Rupert was able to make it two wins from two starts when he took out the Group 2 $175,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 14.
But Winning Rupert is also a Spring Carnival scratching after picking up a minor setback.
“So at this stage, I’ve got a few possibles and no definitives, which is unfortunate because Melbourne in the spring is where you want to be,” Baker said.
Music Magnate’s Doomben 10000 win was his sixth from thirteen starts and took his prizemoney earnings to just over $825,000.
