Justify Sprinter Takes $1mMagic Millions Snippets

A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft, talented gelding Axius (4g Justify x Orontes, by Redoute's Choice) delivered on potential at the Gold Coast on Saturday to the delight of his big team of owners.

Axius announced himself as a sprinter on the rise with a brilliant win for Ciaron Maher, Tim Clark and Dynamic Syndications in the $1 million Howden Magic Millions Snippets (1200m).

He’s been a work in progress since making his debut in the final month of his two-year-old season and scored the biggest win of his career on a seven day back up, courtesy of a textbook ride from Clark.

Axius settled midfield with cover after beginning well from barrier two and looked to have plenty to offer at the 400m, albeit Clark needed to find clear running. He did so weaving between several other rivals and Axius burst clear inside the final furlong, putting half-a-length on his rivals.

“The back-up has been working pretty well today,” Ciaron Maher said.

“Dynamic has a host of horses with us, they are a good crew so it’s fantastic to win a big one for them."

Axius was bought by Dynamic Syndications, in conjunction with Dean Watt Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing. Dynamic’s Adam Watt said it was a satisfying win for a large group of loyal connections.

“The heart is pumping, it’s a massive thrill,” Watt said. “We thought he was going to win last week but things just didn’t pan out but to back him up, drop him from 1300m back to 1200m and win a big sprint like this, it’s a huge credit to Ciaron."

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Axius is the first winner from Orontes, an unraced three-quarter sister by Redoute’s Choice to Group I winning sprinter Takedown. His record now stands at five wins from nine starts, with more than $850,000 in prizemoney and bonuses to his name.

Orontes was back at Coolmore last sprint to visit Justify’s brilliant son Storm Boy, so will produce a three-quarter sibling to Axius later this year.