Two-year-old Paradoxium has bounced back from a bout of pneumonia to put himself firmly in the Golden Slipper frame with a brilliant win in the Todman Stakes at Randwick.
One of the top fancies for the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January following his victory in a key Wyong lead-up, the Bjorn Baker-trained colt was ruled out of Queensland’s summer showpiece after succumbing to illness.
It was touch and go whether he would recover in time to remount a Slipper bid but after a rousing trackwork gallop a few weeks ago, Baker said he was confident he had the youngster back.
“Full credit to all my team, particularly my vet, Allan Frogley, and the vets who looked after him up in Queensland,” Baker said.
“He got very, very sick, very fast and for him to get back here and do that is pretty special.
“I think he is going to improve a heap out of this. He’d only had the one trial, and he’s got a good two weeks’ into the Slipper now, and he’s in.”
Going straight to the front for Jason Collett, Paradoxium ($2.60 fav) shook off the challenge of Hidrix at the top of the straight and was strong to the line, holding Silver Slipper winner Stretan Ruler ($3) at bay by 1-1/2 lengths with Wolf Gap ($5.50) the same margin away third.
While the overall time was almost a second slower than Chayan recorded in winning the Reisling Stakes (1200m) for the fillies’ a race earlier, Paradoxium was impressive to the eye in what was his first start in three months.
Baker said one of the juvenile’s best assets was his natural pace, which would serve him well in a Golden Slipper (1200m).
“Speed, speed, speed. That’s what we breed for in Australia. Fast, strong, tough horses,” Baker said.
“I’ll tell you what, he’s fast and tough and hopefully we’ll find out how strong he is in a couple of weeks.”
Chad Schofield wasn’t disappointed in the effort of the runner-up, who he said would appreciate a more genuine tempo.
“It was just a trot and canter up front,” Schofield said.
“The winner had a picnic and sprinted sharply. My horse was very strong late.”
Paradoxium firmed to $5 favouritism for the Slipper after his Todman Stakes win, ahead of stablemate Warwoven ($6) and Chayan ($9), with Stretan Ruler easing slightly to $11.
