Trainer Barry Baldwin took the spoils in the $100,000 Magic Millions National 2YO Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast today when his two runners quinellaed the event.

Paris Blu, a $5,000 bargain buy at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, cruised home under Bobby El-Issa to win by a length.

Second home was stablemate Shamillion, a $60,000 graduate of the same sale.

It was the second time in a fortnight that the pair had finished first and second in the same race – they matched the feat at Ipswich late last month.

Baldwin said the winner, who is a daughter of former boom juvenile Murphy’s Blu Boy, had always shown good ability and she deserved her win in the feature juvenile race.

“She’s always had a bit of ability,” he reported. “She’s been a bit wayward and we’ve had a few problems with her.”

“But the boys have had a lot of fun with her as we only paid $5,000 for her.”

Baldwin said Paris Blu was able to notch a confidence boosting win last start following a string of excellent runs in tough grade earlier in the career.

“She had been racing against the best and the other day she went back to a maiden and won that well.”

“The 15 alley worried me a bit – that she would get caught wide around the turn. But Bobby rode her well. He got her in and he got one off the fence and that was the difference.”

Baldwin was delighted with the effort of the lightly raced Shamillion to finish second.

“He had her travelling and she didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I think the second horse is going to have a nice future later on and we’ve always thought next year would be his go,” Baldwin added.

Winning rider Bobby El-Issa said he couldn’t have asked for a better run during the race from an outside barrier.

“Barry had her very fit to race from the wide barrier. I was able to give her a good ride and Barry did the rest.”

“She’s probably come in under the radar a bit – earlier on she ran fifth to Military Rose.”

In the dash to the line Paris Blu ($14) got home to beat Shamillion ($8) by a length. Another half neck back in third place was the Paul Messara trained Milanesa ($4.60).

The $3.60 favourite Posh Chic ran fourth, just ahead of the highly regarded youngster Devinardi ($4.60).

Paris Blu, by the group winning juvenile Murphy’s Blu Boy, is from an unraced Air de France three quarter sister to Super Slew.

Super Slew was a high quality galloper who won four races including the AD Hollindale Cup at this track.

He was also runner-up in a Spring Champion Stakes, Queensland Derby and Epsom Handicap and third in a Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Brisbane Cup.

PICS – Dan Costello.