Well-backed favourite Unencumbered produced another classy performance to win the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) in impressive fashion at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Rising jockey Nathan Berry steered Unencumbered to victory in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast this afternoon. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Unencumbered was ridden just off the pace by jockey Nathan Berry and was travelling very comfortably coming around the final bend before finishing strongly to record his fourth straight victory from a brave Oakleigh Girl and a fast finishing Ruby Soho.
Berry has quickly formed a winning partnership with Unencumbered, winning all five of his starts on the classy colt, and was both delighted and emotional to score the biggest race win of his career.
“All the hard work that I have put in has finally shown dividends today,” Berry said after the race.
“He is just the ultimate race horse, he is a ten-year-old now, and he is just so calm, cool and relaxed.
“I said to the pony bloke that there is no horse I would rather be on right now, he is just such a lovely horse.
“Without Mum and Dad’s grounding and without Whitney (fiancé Whitney Schofield) being by my side for so long I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Trainer Bjorn Baker has gone from strength to strength since setting up his stable at Warwick Farm and was thrilled to finally record a feature race win, with a horse that he has been brimming with praise for since he won on debut in the Sharp Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick last year.
“It is my biggest win by a mile and it is a dream come true,” Baker said.
“I came and worked for the Wakeful Stud when I was at university fifteen years ago and I came to the public stand here and backed Testa Rossa (the sire of Unencumbered) and he won by five.
“It is amazing how things work out and it is huge for Nathan and it is huge for me.
“There are three words – attitude, attitude and attitude – and that is what Nathan Berry has got and that is why he will go to the top.”
Unencumbered has now recorded an incredible five race wins from six starts after taking out the Ascend Sale Tropies Plate (1000m), the Wyong Magic Millions Classic (1100m) and the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) in the lead-up to his Magic Millions Classic victory.
