They say “good things happen to those who wait” and the old adage of “time and patience” certainly applied when Bennett Racing 5yo Snitzel gelding Baraqiel made his long-awaited debut at Sale on Sunday.
After a couple of very good trials this prep, Baraqiel showed good natural speed after leaving the barriers cleanly. Ben Allen sat the big boy just off the leader and in plenty of clear room through the early part of the race. The tempo was good throughout and on straightening Ben had no hesitation in easing him out and the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained galloper came off heels to challenge at the 300m mark, Baraqiel showed an electric turn of foot, quickly put the leader away and although rolling in at the end, he won comfortably by 4 Len with another six lengths back to third.A hugely impressive debut for sure. Starting at the very short quote of $2.15 the big boy made light work of his opposition and in doing so gave his owners promise of so much more to come.
The reality is though this is only part of the Baraqiel story.
The Snitzel colt came from the famous Arrowfield Draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Sale. A blueblood colt with quite a lot of size for a Snitzel and from the Gr2 winning & Gr1 placed Hussonet mare Angel Of Mercy. Baraqiel (Snitzel x Redoutes Choice) is the 4th foal of his dam Angel Of Mercy (Hussonet) with her 1st foal being Baraqiel’s full brother Jimmu, who placed at his 1st start and unfortunately passed away after his 2nd start. Mother’s Mercy (Redoutes Choice), a winner of 5 races from 10 starts was her 2nd foal and another Redoutes Choice filly called Selfless, winner of 2 of her 10 starts was Angel Of Mercy’s 3rd foal. The mare missed in 2019 but in 2020 to Champion The Autumn Sun (Redoutes Choice) she left the recent Gr1 AJC Oaks winner Autumn Angel.
Baraqiel was broken in and showed a fair amount of natural ability. A very fluent mover for a big boy, he progressed down from Geelong to Flemington to continue his education with promise of a 2yo career. After a couple of stop start preps, in early May 2021 Baraqiel headed off for his 1st jumpout and showed heaps of natural ability and speed, impressing all who were at the jumpouts that day. Unfortunately a week later he was shin sore and Leon turned him out. He was growing again and it was decided to geld him and resumed pre training later in the year. Unfortunately in January when not far off making his debut and again after some very good jumpouts, Baraqiel rolled under his yard and injured his off hind tendon and splint bone.
For the best part of 2022 Baraqiel spent his time at Lee Evison’s doing rehab. After a few setbacks Baraqiel was again ready for a step up in work until he knocked his knee early in 2023 which resulted in a small fracture in his right knee where the suspensory tendon joins the bone. Again, he headed out to the paddock after confined rest and once again by mid year he was ready again to resume training. All seemed to go well and after another set of very good trials in October 2023 but again the news received afterwards soon curbed any enthusiasm when it was discovered the gelding had injured his left knee exactly the same as the right one earlier in the year. Thankyou to some generosity from trainer Troy Corstens who offered to left the gelding re-hab and spell at his Bang Tail Farm at Lurg with no cost to owners!
Baraqiel spelled well at Troy’s farm. His injuries healed and he flew through his re-hab. Shifted down to Malua’s Flemington Stables, Baraqiel went about his pre training without incident and commenced trailing again without issue. But again Baraqiel was ready to debut in January 2024 but was cast in his box which meant a further delay!
The rest is history as Sunday’s outstanding proved once again “that time and patience” will reward those who adhere to it!
Congratulations to all owners who stuck with Baraqiel through thick and thin and also to Troy, Leon and their Teams for the care and time they have taken with the horse – an outstanding effort.