When connections sat down and mapped out a spring program for boom sprinter Baraqiel, his perfect Valley record left little room for debate. Boasting back-to-back wins on Grand Final Eve and Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day last year in the G2 Mittys McEwen Stakes, there was no second guessing where the seven-year-old would campaign this spring, kickstarting on Saturday in the $175,000 Listed Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes (1000m). “It’s a perfect sprint program,” co-trainer Troy Corstens told the MVRC. “We are Carlyon, Moir and Manikato so we don’t have to leave the track that he loves. “The Maniakto is the race I particularly want to win with him and it has been my aim for six months.” It’s been 17 years since the Corstens family finished third in the Manikato Stakes with Kaphero. Such the lightly raced seven-year-olds affinity with The Valley, the MVRC invited Baraqiel to take the Clubs slot in the inaugural $1 million The Meteorite in November where he finished a brave third. However, the son of Snitzel who has had just 10 starts and won on six occasions, would again be dealt an injury blow and has not raced since after damaging his suspensory during the race. Baraqiel’s injury followed on from a horror run of setbacks for his owners as a younger horse that didn’t see him debut until his five-year-old season after injuries to his tendon, the removal of bone chips and bone bruising. “He’s had a different injury everytime,” Corstens explained. “A horse like him exerts himself and tries so hard everytime he goes out there it’s something we’ve had to try and manage. “We’ve been happy to give him the time and be patient because we knew what was under the bonnet.” Ironically the half-brother to an ATC Oaks winner in Autumn Angel, his latest recovery has not only included time at Malua Racing’s Bangtail farm but also with Ciaron Maher at Bong Bong in New South Wales for use of a hyperbaric chamber. Corstens has no doubt however his latest setback holds no fears for his upcoming preparation – despite kicking off for the first time over 1000 metres on Saturday. “It’s a little question mark but I was a bit worried about 1200 metres first-up originally but I can say he is definitely fit enough now,” he said. “As long as he doesn’t get run off his feet – he is going to be a force to be reckoned with.” Last year's winner Mornington Glory will also take his place in the Paramount Liquor Carlyon Stakes. He became the second horse in the last three years to win the race alongside Bella Nipotina to claim Group 1 glory at The Valley in the same preparation.
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