As a young horse Baraqiel tested the patience of Malua Racing and the ownership group by continually going sore.
A $150,000 yearling purchase, Baraqiel did not make his debut until he was a five-year-old with victory in a Sale maiden.
Success in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday was Baraqiel’s sixth from his eight-start career, which also happened to be his first at Stakes level.
It was an imposing victory by Baraqiel ($3.70) who was ridden to a 2-¾ length victory under Ben Allen from I Am Unstoppable ($5.50) with Mornington Glory ($9) a long neck away third.
Baraquil is prepared by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin who had earlier in the day tasted success with Bittercreek in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m).
Larkin said under normal circumstances with a horse going sore as often as Baraqiel, the likelihood was that galloper would not make it to the racetrack.
But the team were well aware of the ability Baraqiel possessed, so much so that Troy Corstens undertook the gelding’s most rehabilitation at his own cost.
“We always had a good opinion of him, but they have to go out and do it on the track,” Larkin said.
“Setback after setback, we pressed on and there was a time when the owners were prepared to give up, but Troy said I’ll cop the rehab by myself and I’ll get him back up and going, we’re not going to lose this one.
“We always thought that when this horse could take a sit and not do all the work for them, you would see a better horse and Benny had harped on that.
“He’s had electric gate speed, but he’s never had anything to chase.”
Victory on Saturday has earned the connections of Baraqiel the opportunity to run in the $1 million in The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne.
The Moonee Valley Racing Club owns one of the slots in the race on Cranbourne Cup Day, with the winner of Saturday’s race eligible to take it up.
“It’s a good concept they have put on, Southside Racing,” Larkin said.
“It’s going to be an option, but off the back of that win a Group 1 option is at the forefront of our mind at the moment.
“It’s exciting and when you look in the calendar, there’s so many races for him, and I’m sure there’s one we can put a bit circle around.”
