Vinery sire Testa Rossa opened his juvenile account for the new season when precocious colt Unencumbered won the Sharp Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Unencumbered (2c Testa Rossa – Blizzardly by More Than Ready) survived a protest after defeating runner-up Giuliani (Manhattan Rain) by a half-length.  Both first-starters were guilty of shifting ground in the straight, however, stewards deemed the margin was big enough to dismiss the objection.

Winning trainer Bjorn Baker said Unencumbered will be set for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.  “He’s an exciting colt and must be a chance in a race like the Magic Millions,” he said.  “We will wait until the dust settles before deciding whether to tip him out or give him another run.”

His sire Testa Rossa won the 1999 Magic Millions 2YO Classic before going on to a Group 1 winning career for trainer Dean Lawson.  His Vinery bred dam Blizzardly was a LR winner of the 2005 Keith Mackay Hcp at Randwick and she has already foaled Singapore winner Pure Tactics (Strategic).

Unencumbered was a $70,000 buy for Baker from the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  He also trains G2 winning Testa Rossa filly Twilight Royale who is alive to claim a $2.40 million Inglis Triple Crown Bonus later this season.

Vinery stands Testa Rossa for a $27,500 (inc gst) service fee.

– Karl Patterson

UNENCUMBERED
Testa Rossa colt pictured before the Magic Millions