THE MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC: UNENCUMBERED - THE BEST HORSE WINS LIKE A 'GOOD THING'

By Graham Potter | Sunday, January 12, 2014

The triumphant all-conquering march of the Bjorn Baker trained colt Unencumbered continued unabated at the Gold Coast on Saturday where the best horse in the race won like a ‘good thing’ to secure the Magic Millions 2yo Classic in style.

The son of Testa Rossa has only had his colours lowered on one occasion in six starts, Nathan Berry is five from five on the colt and the $70 000 purchase (off an original reserve of $90 000) has already amassed $1.7 million in stakes while still only a juvenile.

What more could any connection ask for?

It might have looked like everything went the way of Unencumbered, but the true fact is that good horses and good riders make their own luck.

Berry had Unencumbered follow a game-plan that he thought would suit the big race favourite and when horse and rider are as one with their mission the task, while never easy, is made just that bit easier to achieve.

Unencumbered jumped and then settled in a comfortable spot tracking the second favourite Oakleigh Girl who took up the early gun run in fourth placing on the rail behind Pinch River, who had crossed to lead from a wide draw, I Am The General and Echo Gal.

The leading group bunched up approaching the turn with the leader Pinch River plotting a path some three wide as he brought the field into the home straight. With the exception of two horses, every other runner elected to track wider still to the outside of Pinch River in order to try and establish their runs and launch a challenge.

One of those exceptions was Oakleigh Girl, who immediately quickened into daylight as she saved ground, cutting the corner, to take up the running early in the straight.

Vienna Royale followed Oakleigh Girl through along the inside and momentarily appeared as a threat, but the winning move was being made in the centre of the track as Berry set Encumbered to work on the point of the turn.

A marginal shift to the left and Unencumbered now had a clear view down the straight and his path to glory.

Oakleigh Girl still held the advantage but it took only a couple of strides to confirm that Unencumbered was up to the task of reeling in the Danny Bougoure charge.

Not that Oakleigh Girl lay down lightly. On the contrary, the filly really made the colt work hard to secure a famous victory.

She shifted out towards the centre of the track with 250m left to run. The chasing Unencumbered moved alongside Oakleigh Girl at the 200m mark and these two quality two-year-olds then matched strides for just shy of 100m before Unencumbered won that battle and edged away to win by 0.75 lengths.

There was no cigar for the connections of Oakleigh Girl, but she did claim first prize in the Magic Millions Racing Women Bonus which took her earning to $625 000 for the day.

Ruby Soho was eye-catching in own right in third place.

While she never threatened the winner the Liam Birchley trained runner beat the rest of the field home in fine fashion and earned a just reward for her effort.

Kudos to Michael Rodd. Watch how kind he was to his mount when third place was secure and no second place was beyond him. Always good to see a kind jockey.

Unencumbered is a graduate of Newhaven Park, the same farm which sold the $1 million Redoute's Choice-Hades colt at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.


WINNER FEEDBACK:

OWNER STEVE ELLIOT:

“I can’t believe it. We bought the horse last year. We paid $70 000 for it. We thought we got a cheap buy … and the horse has just improved and improved.

“I remember when I phoned up to pay for the horse I asked how much they would take on a credit card. She told me that she’d charge me a percentage so I told her I’d transfer some and pay the other. Then I said I’ve got to pay for next year’s Magic Millions winner. She said, how do you know you’ve got the winner. I said, I just know!

“Nathan Berry has gelled with the horse wonderfully. He knows the horse. He has an absolute understanding with this horse. He knows how the horse works and he told us that he was never in doubt winning the race today because he knew what he had under him.

“He thinks it is a Golden Slipper horse, but we said … just one step at a time!

“All the owners would like to wish Nathan all the best for his wedding in a few weeks’ time and for his upcoming riding stint in Singapore. The future is wonderful … and we hope he comes back from Singapore and continues riding the horse for us because that is what we would like because, as a group of owners, we are very loyal.

“We thank Bjorn (Baker) and his wife Andrea and all their stable staff for the wonderful job they have done with this horse.

“We’d also like to thank Helen Page who let us keep the horse at her stables while he’s been at the Gold Coast.
“We not in it thinking we are going to win a million dollars. We are in it because we enjoy going to the races and having a beer.

“It does go to show what can happen though when a group of small owners chip in together and buy a horse and have a bit of a dream.

“Thank you Magic Millions.”


TRAINER BJORN BAKER:

“It’s a dream come true. No doubt about it!

“I worked on a stud farm when I was at Otago University in New Zealand. I came and worked for Wakefield Stud for a summer. It must have been about fifteen years ago … when I came to the public stand here with about $80.00 on me. I put it all on Testa Rossa and he won by five so, with this horse being a son of Testa Rossa, it’s quite amazing how things work out.

I was twenty years old at the time of Testa Rossa’s win. I thought this is the greatest place I’ve ever to … and it hasn’t changed.

“The win is huge for Nathan (Berry). It is huge for me and the horse just keeps getting better and better. It’s just three words … attitude, attitude, attitude. That’s what the horse has got. That’s what Nathan Berry’s got. He’s got the best attitude. He’s great to work with. That’s why he will go to the top.

“I’ve got to thank Helen Page for having the horse here. It’s been such a smooth transition. She has helped us out at every turn.

“Yeah, it will be a big celebration. There’s a big bunch of owners and it’s hard not to get caught up in it.”


JOCKEY NATHAN BERRY:

“Just look at him. He is the ultimate race-horse. He’s behaving like a ten-year-old now. He is just so calm, cool and relaxed. I said to the blokes beforehand, there is no other horse I want to be on right now. He is such a lovely horse.

“This is a great racing day of the year that I used to sit back at home and watch Tommy be part of for so long and to get the opportunity from Bjorn Baker and his owners to come here and get the job done today is a dream come true.

“It’s definitely the highlight of my career so far. Hopefully it is the start of something very good.

“This is where Tom’s career really kicked off with Karuta Queen so I’m hoping I can take the same path now.

“We travelled well the whole race. Look, I had the horse that I could put it wherever I wanted it to be. If there was half a run I could put him into it.

“Originally I thought we might be a bit further back than we were, but I had to take advantage of the barrier the way the track was playing throughout the day.

“It was starting to firm up. I had a good chat with Tommy about it and I didn’t think you wanted to be too far away from the speed. I’d given up barriers like that before and it has been costly.

“So, I knew I had the best horse in the race and I just got it into my head knowing if I could put him there … I didn’t think he could get beat.

“Like I’ve said before, I do think he will be a better horse ridden quieter, but you need to ride some horses according to the track they’re racing on and that’s what I did.

“Just at the 500m it was like everything was going slow-mo. I was travelling up through them. Everything was starting to come off the bit and I was just getting stronger so I knew I had the race won a fair way out.

“I’m just blessed to get the opportunity to ride such a very nice horse.

“I did show how happy I was. Tom did say that the crowd gets you pumped up. The victory salute did cost me $500.

“The stewards said to me, look mate, you really need to try and be a bit more placid. I said, look sir, I actually couldn’t control my emotions. I said, I just let it all out.

“You know it was about four or five years of working hard before it all came together today. To get a horse like that. To get the job done as well as he did … you know, the celebration was worth it.

“There was awkward moment in the pull up.

“Unencumbered was so cool when he pulled up. He was having a look around, and Bernie Cooper came up for the interview on the pony. He just stood there for a second and then when Bernie moved in he went to bite the pony. As he did that he fell over his own feet and dipped and I came off.

“Then he just stood there like a true professional and I got back on.

“That incident is the most likely cause for the blood that was reported in the horse’s nostril after the race. It could have easily happened when the horse dipped.

“He has never shown any sign of bleeding before. He definitely didn’t bleed. He just had this little cut in his nose that a little blood came out so there is nothing to worry about.

“It’s something we’d like to get off the stewards report to avoid any confusion as he is a stallion prospect later on.

“Moving forward with the horse … we’ve already worked it out … Unencumbered will probably have a good three weeks spell now with the Golden Slipper in mind.

“I know it is a very hard ask but he’s got the temperament to do it. He is a cool, calm and collected horse.

“I’ve found it very hard to find a chink in his armour. We backed him up. We floated him and backed him up again and he had no problem doing it.

“He is a colt. He’s cruisie and not a lot worries him. You know just before the race I was sitting in the barriers and that horse in barrier four … it was going off, rearing up … and my horse was literally falling asleep.

“That’s one of his biggest assets. He does not spend a penny in terms of energy before he races.

“That’s why he’s called the cucumber. He’s as cool as a cucumber.

“Bjorn and I started off together about a year ago now. He started supporting me off the back of a Saturday winner and he has just been one of the rocks of the trainers in Sydney in terms of supporting me … so thank you Bjorn.

“To the group of owners of Unencumbered … there is quite a group of them. I just want to thank them all for sticking with me. Hopefully we can get to the Golden Slipper and have a live chance.

“I’ve got to thank mom and dad for what they’ve done for Tommy and I in bringing us up … and my fiancée Whitney (Schofield) as well. She’s just been my rock you know. I’ve been with her about four-and-a-half years and without mom and dad behind me and Whitney by my side I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“I’ve just got so many other good people around me.
“Jeff Lloyd … he’s let me stay at his place every time we’ve come here and he is definitely one of my mentors. Whitney’s family … you know Glyn is a world champion jockey just like Jeff.

“… and, of course, there is Tom here today. He’s kept me focussed and has helped talk me through the day.
“I really do appreciate all the help I’ve received.”


WHITNEY SCHOFIELD (NATHAN BERRY’S FIANCÉE):

“Obviously it has always been exciting with all the wins my family has had, but Nathan’s been waiting so long for this big one and there is nobody who deserves it more than him.

“I just couldn’t wait to give him a big hug and a kiss and there is nobody prouder in the world right now than me.”


STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:

VIENNA ROYALE (C. Munce) was slow to begin. STROAK (M. Cahill) had to be checked at the start when tightened for room between SAGATONA (R. Thompson) and I AM THE GENERAL (J. Noonan), which jumped awkwardly and shifted in.

DIVINE SERVICE (E. Wilkinson) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out bumping CELESTIAL DRAGON (T. Bell) on a number of occasions. DIVINE SERVICE and CELESTIAL DRAGON then buffeted for some distance when CELESTIAL DRAGON shifted in away slightly from OAKLEIGH GIRL (C. Newitt).

Near the 1100m DIVINE SERVICE was taken in slightly and struck the heels of UNENCUMBERED (N. Berry) and blundered badly. Stewards were satisfied that this incident was not the result of the carelessness exhibited by any rider.

Passing the 1000m both CELESTIAL DRAGON and INVISIBLE (J. McDonald) were tightened for room by GEROMAYO (S. Baster), which was taken in slightly by PINCH RIVER (R. Wiggins).

Near the 800m CELESTIAL DRAGON had to be eased when tightened for room between UNENCUMBERED and GEROMAYO, which shifted in when not quite clear. CELESTIAL DRAGON had to be eased and shifted out making heavy contact with INVISIBLE. S. Baster the rider of GEROMAYO was issued with a reprimand and advised to afford his fellow riders with greater clearance in future.

SAGATONA was held up and unable to improve approaching and rounding the home turn.

Passing the 400m CELESTIAL DRAGON which was weakening had to be eased when tightened for room between INVISIBLE and CYCLONE (B. Shinn), which shifted out slightly after becoming awkward on the heels of UNENCUMBERED. STROAK which was following also had to be steadied and alter course.

After passing the 300m CYCLONE had to be eased when tightened for room between ECHO GAL (T. Berry) and RUBY SOHO (M. Rodd), which shifted out. M. Rodd the rider of RUBY SOHO was issued with a reprimand and advised to show greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Approaching the 200m GEROMAYO which was hanging out under pressure shifted out and made contact with INVISIBLE.

ECHO GAL, SHEER STYLE (J. Collett), INVISIBLE, DIVINE SERVICE and TOTALLY SURE (G. Colless) all raced wide throughout the event.

N. Berry the rider of UNENCUMBERED was fined the sum of $500.00 for making a celebratory gesture prior to the winning post.

A post-race veterinary examination of CELESTIAL DRAGON which compounded in the home straight revealed no abnormalities.

A post-race veterinary examination of UNENCUMBERED revealed the horse had bled from the off side nostril during the race. Trainer B. Baker will be advised that UNENCUMBERED will have to gallop over a 1000m to the satisfaction of stewards prior to being permitted to race again.

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