Unencumbered Magic in Millions Classic

Unencumbered capped a near faultless campaign when he stormed to victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The son of Vinery sire Testa Rossa has now won 5 of his 6 starts and will be out to capture the G1 Golden Slipper in April.

Unencumbered (2c Testa Rossa – Blizzardly by More Than Ready) enjoyed a good run under Nathan Berry for most of the race and then chased down Oakleigh Girl for a three-quarter length win.

“We will give him a break now and have a look at the Golden Slipper,” jubilant trainer Bjorn Baker said.  “His attitude has been the key.  He has just kept getting better and he has been so relaxed about it.”

Winning jockey Nathan Berry predicted more riches were within reach for the brilliant colt following his latest win.  “I’m telling you, we haven’t seen the best of this horse yet,” he noted.

Purchased by Baker for $70,000 at the 2013 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Unencumbered has already turned into an incredible money spinner for connections with earnings now over $1.78 million.

Testa Rossa claimed the 1999 Magic Millions Classic.  This year’s $2 million winner is from Vinery bred mare Blizzardly who scored at Listed level in the Keith Mackay Stakes at Randwick.

Testa Rossa follows General Nediym who captured the 1997 Magic Millions and then sired the Classic winners Regimental Gal (2003) and Military Rose (2010).

Vinery sold the top-priced Testa Rossa yearling during Book 1 of this year’s Magic Millions yearling sale.  The colt from Electric Dreams sold for $320,000 to Hong Kong based George Moore Bloodstock.