The Magic Millions Guineas misfortune is now history for Ninja, who has toppled high-class opponents to secure the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.
Having been posted deep from the gates at the Gold Coast where he covered plenty of ground in defeat, the colt made no mistake in Saturday’s premier 1400m race.
“It’s good to see him come back and do that,” trainer Michael Freedman said.
“It was his biggest test. The Magic Millions Guineas was a disappointment, but I was more interested in how he was going to measure up against the really good three-year-olds down here and job done.”
Following closely to Shangri La Boy up front, Ninja ($2.70 fav) quickened impressively down the straight to win by 1-1/2 lengths from Napoleonic ($4.40), with Autumn Boy ($2.90) grabbing third by a nose.
Post-race inspection will guide Freedman, but the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) looms as a prime target.
“It wouldn’t bother me at all putting him out because I think he’s an exciting horse for the future, but if he pulls up well, against his own age group, why wouldn’t you (go to the Guineas)?” Freedman said.
Pilot Tommy Berry revealed prior to the race that the Queensland foray had refined Ninja’s professionalism on race day, qualities displayed prominently in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
Berry was confident the colt’s serene temperament would carry him through to the Randwick Guineas distance.
“I’ve been saying all week since he has returned to Sydney that Lee (Freedman) had done an amazing job with him in Queensland,” Berry said.
“This horse has come back so much more relaxed whether that is trackwork, in the yard, or behind the barriers.
“I think he will run a strong 1600m because it felt like he floated that last furlong.
“The (Randwick) Guineas will be a bigger field, there will be a lot more pressure and he is a better horse when ridden with cover.”
In the Hobartville, Caulfield Guineas scorer Autumn Boy (third) and Spring Champion Stakes hero Attica (fourth) made up ground from off the speed in positive fashion.
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