Surely there hasn’t been more deserved winners of a Gr1 race than Bennett Racing 7yo Baraqiel and his loyal owners. Off the back of his impressive last start Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes victory at the same track, Baraqiel had everyone talking, and rightfully so, as he justified the faith of his trainers and owners, charging late to win the $750,000 Group 1 MVRC Moir Stakes (1000m) in the Bennett Racing silks.
About as consistent as they come, having only finished outside the top three just once in his 12-start career, the Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin-trained gelding jumped away the second favourite in the large 14 horse field. With his regular rider Ben Allen on board, he overcame traffic to continue his march toward the elite level of Australia’s sprinters with a barnstorming win. Despite suffering interference on the turn and in the early stages of the short straight, the outstanding son of Snitzel produced a paralysing burst to get a late split and win emphatically.
Sent out a $6 chance with bookmakers, Baraqiel finished too strongly for New Zealand mare Alabama Lass ($6.50), while another classy mare Arabian Summer ($16) was a breath away in third place. With the 1000-metre contest was run at breakneck speed, leaving several hard luck stories in behind, it was the son of the late Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) who emerged from the pack to post his first Group 1 triumph with Ben Allen navigating a narrow run up the fence in the dying stages, Baraqiel tenaciously surged to deny a game Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) by a half-length, with Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) mare Arabian Summer sticking on to finish just 0.1 lengths further back in third. In 12 starts, the Malua Racing-trained gelding has visited the Valley four times for four victories, all of which have come under the steerage of Ben Allen, who has partnered him from the start. Baraqiel has defied well documented and numerous injuries – including setbacks in all four limbs – to take his record to eight wins, three at stakes level, and over $1.1 million in prizemoney.
This was an outstanding win by a horse who seemingly has no limit. To come from a Sale Maiden in May, via Swan Hill to a Gr2 WFA win last October to now winning a Gr1 Moir Stks. Wedged in between the Gr2 Mc Ewan Stks and his 1st up Carlyon Stks win was another disappointment with the big boy going amiss in the 1mil Meteorite at Cranbourne when 3rd. After an offer by Ciaron Maher for the use his hyperbaric chamber saw all of the early stages of Baraqiel’s rehab done at Bong Bong before completing the last phase back at Malua Racing. A terrific rehabilitation & training performance by Malua Racing and Ciaron Maher’s Team lays testament to this horses courage and huge ability.
Baraqiel has shown a huge affinity for the Moonee Valley circuit, he sits up on the pace and then has that rare commodity – an electric turn of foot. These attributes are what separates good horses and very good horses and Baraqiel is heading into the later category with a bullet. Interesting is the fact he has only been beaten once, due to injury, around a bend and placing twice down the straight at Flemington his only unplaced effort was down the straight again in the Gr1 Champions Sprint when beaten 2 L by Sunshine In Paris.
Such a well bred son of Champion Sire Snitzel, bred by Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd and Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd, Baraqiel was a $150,000 purchase for Bennett Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the Magic Millions yearling sale. Becoming the second Group 1 winner out of the Group 3 winning Angel Of Mercy (Hussonet), joining Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun), the mare has an unraced 3yo filly named Kindred Spirit (The Autumn Sun), followed by colts by Maurice (Jpn) and Hitotsu. Unfortunately, Angel Mercy missed to Snitzel last spring so there will be no foal this season. Baraqiel became the 24th individual Group 1 winner for Arrowfield Stud’s multiple Champion Sire Snitzel.
Once again huge congratulations to all owners in Baraqiel and thankyou to Leon & Troy Corstens, Ciaron Maher and his Team for their part in his last set of rehabilitation for all the hard work and patience they have taken with Baraqiel now one of Australia’s most exciting Gr1 winning sprinters.