Trainer Bjorn Baker reflected on his former Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis as Paradoxium powered down the Flemington straight.
Paradoxium claimed the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday, serving as a crucial lead-up race to the Coolmore Stud Stakes, a race previously won by Ozzmosis.
This was Paradoxium’s debut start in Melbourne on Saturday, and Baker confirmed it was the ideal preparation for a return to Flemington in late October for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Jockey Jason Collett rode Paradoxium ($3.50) to lead throughout the race, winning by a length from the $2.80 favourite Mbube, with Big Sky ($8.50) finishing a half-neck back in third.
Ozzmosis won the 2023 Coolmore Stud Stakes on his Melbourne debut, and Baker is planning a similar outcome for Paradoxium.
Paradoxium will now return to Sydney for the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) next month, which will be its final race before the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“That’s exciting seeing a beautiful colt like that,” Baker said.
“He’s got a great attitude and a great action. Speaking pre-race, I did everything but declare him.
“Hopefully we can get back here for the Coolmore. He reminded me a bit of Ozzmosis half-way through that run.
“You dream, and you dream big.”
When asked to compare Ozzmosis with Saturday’s winner, Baker stated that Paradoxium still has its entire career ahead.
“Ozzmosis is retired and has beautiful yearlings,” Baker explained.
“This guy still has his whole career in front of him, and I think he’s got a good future.
“I love coming down here and I thought he was a good chance.
“He was very good and he had to carry a little bit more weight than the others as well.”
Collett noted that he had witnessed Paradoxium’s improvement from its two-year-old season.
He mentioned that the colt’s final two pieces of work leading into Saturday had been strong, and he had felt the improvement on each occasion.
“We were pretty happy coming into today and this was a good result, being able to do it down the straight,” Collett commented.
“It fell apart late last campaign. He had a pretty big setback and we did well to get him to win the Todman, but it all probably just happened a bit soon.
“Development wise, he’s not huge but he’s thickening up and performing down the straight, so we’re very happy.”
Betting markets for the race are sure to be competitive at leading Australian betting sites.