Two-year-old Unite And Conquer will be put on a Magic Millions path after a dominant debut win in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington.
But first the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt, an $80,000 yearling purchase, has some unfinished business before a trip north for January’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Waterhouse said after Unite And Conquer raced to a 2-1/4 length win in Saturday’s Listed 1000m scamper that the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate on November 8 was next on the juvenile’s agenda.
“He showed himself a lovely big strong type that would be well-placed down the straight and that will have him ready for the Maribyrnong Plate,” Waterhouse said.
“We now hope to go onto the Flemington carnival. It’s great to have a winner at Flemington and you love to have one over the carnival.”
Ridden by Stephen Baster, Unite And Conquer ($6.50) scored over $5 equal favourite Sun City with Grand Scholar ($8.50) 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Unite And Conquer ran second in a barrier trial in Sydney on September 17 before participating in a jump-out at Flemington on September 28 after which Baster suggested blinkers be applied.
“I jumped him out down the straight and I went to the outside fence thinking he’d be comfortable there, but all he wanted to do was look around,” Baster said.
“I suggested the blinkers go on to smarten him up as he can be very relaxed in his work.
“I think he might have won without them, but they smartened him up and had him on the ball.
“There’s still a lot of improvement as he’s still quite soft.”
