Bjorn Baker is never afraid to get a maiden win on the board in the country with a promising horse and he did it with Group I winners Overpass and Steffi Magnetica, so when he unleashed an impressive maiden winner at Orange by Extreme Choice on Monday in Stallone.
Stallone had three unplaced runs during the winter as a colt, but was a different horse this preparation after being gelded and showed positive signs in two recent trials that saw him sent out favourite.
Stallone raced forward to lead the 1400m maiden and kicked away for Ashley Morgan to win by three and a half lengths.
A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase for Darby Racing/Deburgh Equine from Bell River Thoroughbreds, Stallone continues the winning run being enjoyed by Darby Racing, who won both the $2million Group II ATC Ingham with Robusto and $500,000 ATC Inglis Nursery with Within the Law last Saturday at Randwick
Stallone is the second winner for Good Looking Mare, an unraced Medaglia D’Oro daughter of US Group II winner Sherine.
Newgate Farm’s flagship sire, Extreme Choice is a remarkable stallion in having produced a Golden Slipper winner in Stay Inside and a Melbourne Cup winner in Knight’s Choice, so while fertility is an issue, quality in his offspring is not.
Extreme Choice has 13 entries for Magic Millions.