A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft, talented Justify (USA) gelding Axius 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, 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 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.
“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.”
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 spring to visit Justify’s brilliant son Storm Boy, so will produce a three-quarter sibling to Axius later this year.
