Bennett Racing 6yo Baraqiel announced himself a worthy contender for Australia’s major sprint races after a demolition job at Moonee Valley Saturday. Tackling stakes level for the first time at only his 8th start in the 300k Gr2 Mittys Mc Ewan Stks over 1200m, the big boy was racing well out of his grade with weights vs ratings right against him. But nobody told Baraqiel that! Baraqiel jumped well and was outside Mornington Glory with Oscars Fortune working across to lead. Baraqiel travelled kindly in the run and they didn’t really seem to go hard so he was well positioned to the 400m to make a strong challenge. Always travelling well, Ben Allen moved him up 3 wide before the turn and as soon as they straightened, Ben released the brakes and in a paralysing burst of speed, Baraqiel left them standing and it was over in 3 strides with plenty in reserve. The time was a very slick 1m09.13s which actually broke the class record held previously by Champion Miss Andretti.
Baraqiel improved his rating from 96.5 last time out to 103.7 with this devastating win – a huge 7.2 spike to a career high rating. To put this in perspective, Bella Nipotina rated 103.5 to win the Everest and Southport Tycoon rated 102 winning the Manikato. This is in fact the highest rating Sprint win so far this Season in Australia. Ratings guru Dan O’Sullivan commented ‘Baraqiel has well and truly stepped into the spotlight as a much-needed rising star in the Australian sprinting ranks with his dynamic 103.7 rating win in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes over 1200m at Moonee Valley’. He further added ‘on the performance he produced on Saturday, he’s right up to mixing it with the best sprinters we have available right now. It’s also not out of the question that he produces further new peaks in the future’.
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 in October by a 6yo Gelding who didn’t race until he was 5, is story book stuff. This is an incredible journey and the patient owners are now living in the middle of the best dream imaginable. A terrific training performance by Malua Racing and testament to this horses courage and huge ability. Troy Corstens will sit down with Nathan and decide where to next for Baraqiel with the Gr1 Champions Sprint 1200m down the straight at Flemington the most likely target.
This is a very talented horse who continues to step up at each challenge and roar through the grades. He has speed and toughness. 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. Such a well bred son of Champion Sire Snitzel, Baraqiel took his overall record to 8 starts, 6 – 0 – 2 $413,025. Baraqiel was a 150k purchase from the 2020 Magic Millions Yearling Sale from his breeders the famous Arrowfield Stud. He is a ¾ brother to this years Gr1 AJC Oaks winner the recently retired Autumn Angel. Certainly bred in the purple.
Once again huge congratulations to all owners in Baraqiel and thankyou to Leon & Troy Corstens and their Teams for all the hard work and patience they have taken with Baraqiel now one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters.
