| Axius announced himself as a sprinter on the rise with a brilliant win for Ciaron Maher, Tim Clark and Dynamic Syndications in Saturday’s $1 million Howden Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) at the Gold Coast. |
| The son of Justify has been a work in progress since making his debut in the final month of his two-year-old season and finally delivered on the promise in Saturday’s lucrative race, 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 runner-up Payline, with another length-and-a-half to stablemate Scampi in third. Maher, who made it a double after Snitzanova’s Magic Millions Subzero win earlier in the day, said the decision to back-up Axius after his placing in the Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO had been vindicated. “The back-up has been working pretty well today,” 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. “He’s a bit of a brute to ride, he takes a bit of handling so they (stable team) have done a great job. Axius was bought out of Coolmore Stud’s draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $200,000 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. Dynamic were involved in at least nine purchases during Book 1 of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, ranging between $130,000 and $250,000. “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. “What a ride by Tim Clark, it was amazing. “It’s a hard game, we all know how hard it is but we work big hours over there at the sales to find these horses so to be here on the big days and win a $1 million race makes it all worthwhile.” Clark, who took his tally of winners on the premier Magic Millions Raceday to nine, said Axius can continue to rise through the sprinting ranks. His record now stands at five wins from nine starts, with more than $850,000 in prizemoney and bonuses to his name. “They’ve taken their time with him and been really patient so now they’re reaping the rewards,” Clark said. “He showed plenty of promise but it’s taken a bit of time for him to get there. “He smoked up in behind them and just needed the room.” |
