The central question for race followers revolves around which Paradoxium will perform in the stallion-making sprint event at Flemington. Although Saturday is dedicated to the Victoria Derby, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) is the race generating significant excitement, with its winner potentially commanding a $30 million stallion fee.
Paradoxium, a colt by Extreme Choice, fits this description, particularly after his victory in the Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington last month. Trainer Bjorn Baker then took the colt to Sydney for the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on October 10, where he unfortunately let down his supporters by not finishing in the placings.
Paradoxium has since returned to Melbourne, arriving just over a week ago, and demonstrated his former prowess in an 800m jump-out at Flemington last Friday, easily outclassing his rivals who were held under restraint. This performance was a clear indication of the colt’s potential.
Baker has prior experience winning the Coolmore Stud Stakes, having triumphed with Ozzmosis in 2023. Ozzmosis followed a similar trajectory to Paradoxium, experiencing a defeat in the Roman Consul Stakes before securing a Flemington jump-out win in the lead-up to his major race victory.
“He’s a fast horse,” Baker remarked about Paradoxium. “He won really well down the straight the first time and it was 800 (metres) the jump-out and you can look into it too much, but he’s going well and he’s a lot fitter for his last run.
“It’s a big ask. It’s a hard race to win the Coolmore, but I’m very much following what I did with Ozzmosis going through the Roman Consul and then a jump-out. Ozzmosis was very impressive, albeit from back in the field and made ground when he had the jump-out. It’s a big day, the Coolmore, but I love the horse. He’s very fast and hopefully he can utilise that speed.”
Baker expressed that the 1200m distance might pose a challenge for Paradoxium on Saturday, admitting that a slightly shorter race would be more beneficial. “It is a question mark, no doubt about it,” Baker stated. “I wish it was 1100 metres because he is exceptionally quick. He’s got a high speed. He’ll be better for his last run, and he’s won at 1200 metres before. He won the Group 2 Todman as a two-year-old, so we know he can get the trip, it’s just whether he can get it against these top line three-year-olds.”
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, and punters can find competitive betting markets for the race at their preferred sports betting platforms.