He may lack the quantity of horses and purchasing strength of Australia’s top operations, but Bjorn Baker is determined to leave his mark on Golden Slipper day at Rosehill.
Baker has entered five horses in four Group 1 events, featuring colts Warwoven and Paradoxium at the forefront of the $5 million highlight, backed by Pericles in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m), Stefi Magnetica in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Green Spaces in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
Positioned third in the metropolitan trainers’ standings, trailing only the dominant teams of Chris Waller and Tulloch Lodge, Baker is maintaining his excellent results from the previous campaign where Waller was the sole trainer with more Sydney victories.
“Compared to the big stables and big bloodstock agents, we’re at a much lower level in terms of numbers and quality, so to get two runners in the Golden Slipper is really a dream,” Baker said this week.
“It’s very much about small steps to get into these races. Even when I came here (from his native New Zealand), you’ve got to start winning races and slowly building quality up.
“Two runners in the race suggests we’re going in the right direction.”
Pericles confronts the current racing sensation Autumn Glow in the George Ryder, where the mare sits at Winx-style odds of $1.30, while Pericles occupies the third tier of betting at $16.
The Godolphin gelding has not placed worse than fourth across five outings under Baker and signalled a promising season ahead with a sharp first-up success in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last month.
Even with the steep opposition for Pericles this Saturday, Baker refuses to yield the contest to the market leader.
“You’ve got to back yourself. You’re in the wrong game if you want to put the white flag up every time there is a superstar,” Baker said.
“If there is ever a horse that is capable of knocking off a superstar, it’s Pericles. He’s got an exceptional record.”
Previous Doncaster Mile champion Stefi Magnetica confronts a stern challenge in the Ranvet as she stretches out to a middle-distance trip for the initial occasion.
Baker admitted she requires every bit of luck to overcome frontrunners Aeliana and Sir Delius, yet believes her condition surpasses what her recent seventh in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington indicated.
“It was hard to get a line in Melbourne. It didn’t work out, it was a very firm track, and second-up she can be a little bit vulnerable as well,” Baker said.
“It’s going to be a tough race with Sir Delius and Aeliana and co, so she is going to need to get a good run in transit and have everything go her way, but she’s in good order.”
In addition to the Group 1 hopefuls, Baker fields four fillies and mares in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m), where Monte Supreme stands as his top contender at $9.50.
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