The two-year-old Paradoxium has fought back from a pneumonia setback to emerge as a serious Golden Slipper contender following an outstanding performance in the Todman Stakes at Randwick.
He had been a short-priced elect for the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions Classic in January, buoyed by success in a vital Wyong warmup, until illness excluded him from the Queensland spectacle.
Questions lingered over a timely Slipper return, but Baker was optimistic after the colt’s spirited gallop a few weeks prior, believing him fully restored.
“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.”
Jason Collett sent Paradoxium ($2.60 fav) forward to lead, and he fended off Hidrix entering the straight, staying on powerfully to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Silver Slipper winner Stretan Ruler ($3), from Wolf Gap ($5.50) a further 1-1/2 lengths behind.
Paradoxium’s time trailed Chayan’s in the fillies’ Reisling Stakes (1200m) by under a second, yet his visual dominance was clear after three months off.
Baker highlighted the colt’s explosive pace as a major plus for the 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 praised the beaten favourite, who he felt needed more pressure upfront.
“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.”
His Todman Stakes triumph saw Paradoxium into $5 Slipper favouritism, ahead of Warwoven ($6) from the same stable and Chayan ($9), with Stretan Ruler out to $11.
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