A ninja must overcome challenges, strike with precision and deliver with surprise, and Ninja did exactly that at Eagle Farm.
The three-year-old gelding stamped himself as a leading Magic Millions contender with a commanding win in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m).
Starting as the $2.30 favourite, Ninja surged to a near five-length victory to further entrench his favouritism for the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m).
Ridden by Tommy Berry, who partnered the horse for the first time, Ninja recorded his third win from five starts.
Michael Freedman’s decision to space the gelding’s runs after a third placing in the Pierata Plate (1200m) at Doomben is paying dividends.
Ninja missed the start and was a long way off the pace turning for home.
Berry elected to sweep wide, with Ninja unleashing a powerful finish down the Eagle Farm straight.
“You always have to have Plan B but that wasn’t even a Plan B for me,” Berry said.
“He was so well behaved today and he stood in the gates beautifully and quiet but when the starter called ‘all clear’, usually the gates open not long after.
“I gave him a bit of a squeeze to jump but there was a hold-up so he hit the front of the gates.
“He took a step back and lunged out. We were hoping for an easy run today with two weeks’ time in mind and he really only sprinted 500-metres.”
Bookmakers reacted swiftly, slashing Ninja’s Guineas price from $4 into $2 ahead of January 17.