Magic Millions winner Unencumbered will head to Rosehill on Saturday ready to continue his winning streak in the Group 2 $250,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m).
Nathan Berry celebrates the Magic Millions win on Unencumbered. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Unencumbered has been successful at his last four starts which culminated with a win in the $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was able to give the Testa Rossa colt a short break after his Gold Coast win and has him just where he wants him as he prepares for the run up to the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 5.
Baker is not too concerned that Unencumbered hasn’t been able to barrier trial and said that he still had plenty of residual fitness from his Magic Millions campaign.
“He’s had a couple of good gallops and I am really happy with him,” Baker told the Sportsman.
“I guess the only thing is he hasn’t had a trial but he still has a fair bit of residual fitness.”
Jockey Nathan Berry will again link up with Unencumbered after riding him to all four victories last preparation including the biggest win of his career in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.
Berry will have to fly into Sydney for the Rosehill meeting from Singapore where he has set up base after being granted a four month riding contract with the Michael Freedman stable.
Berry who has four rides at Rosehill on Saturday and will be returning to Singapore overnight to fulfil his Sunday engagements at Kranji.
Baker is certain that Berry will be able to give his colt the run of the race from barrier two in the small seven horse field.
“Often a small field can be tricky but drawn two he should be able to put himself thereabouts and be strong at the finish,” Baker said.
Unencumbered has been posted the $2.90 favourite for the Silver Slipper Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of the Tony McEvoy trained Risen From Doubt at $3.80.
The Gai Waterhouse trained Law, a winner at his only two starts, is next in the betting at $4.40 with the Team Hawkes trained Mossfun, also a winner from her two starts, at $4.60.
In Golden Slipper betting, Unencumbered is currently the second pick at $7.50 behind Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake who has been posted the $2.90 favourite with Law at $11 and Risen From Doubt at $12.
