Craig Kerry
Even when Stefi Magnetica gave him his greatest victory in the $4 million Doncaster Mile last year, Bjorn Baker had the $2 million Australian Derby on his mind.
An emotional Baker spoke about how special the annual meeting had been for his family, given his father Murray’s five wins as a trainer in the Derby.
With Stefi Magnetica and his other 2025 Championships winner, Sydney Cup victor Arapaho, retired in the past fortnight, the Warwick Farm trainer is looking to Green Spaces to lead the charge for his stable on Saturday and give him a first ATC Derby (2400m).
“Obviously, it would mean a lot,” Baker said. “My father won the Derby five times – I trained the winner of the Derby five times, I just didn’t get any credit or cash – so it’s been a very special race for my father and for the family, so it will be very special to have a live chance.
“You dream about winning it.”
Green Spaces, a Godolphin-owned Street Boss colt, has been pencilled in for the Derby even before his three-length victory in the group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle in November, and he has built nicely towards the staying test on Saturday.
Green Spaces was a $3 TAB favourite after drawing gate six on Tuesday and finishing strongly down the outside when third-up last start in the 2000m Rosehill Guineas to be two-lengths second to Autumn Boy, which will run in the Doncaster on Saturday. Rachel King rides again.
“I think he’s in great order, everything’s suggests he’ll get 2400,” Baker said.
“I thought his run the other day was really good, especially considering they didn’t maybe go as quick up front as I thought, so I thought in running he lost a bit of momentum at the corner, so to get out and run second was fantastic.
“His pedigree may not suggest he would get the trip, but everything we see in terms of a type and how he can just relax so well, I think that’s going to hold him in good stead.”
Baker said he learned from his father’s success that each horse has to be treated differently and “very much as individuals, but you still need to have that base going to the Derby”.
“With this bloke, two weeks between runs, we were mindful we definitely have to have him up to the fitness level, and going to the 2400 at Randwick from a softish 2000m race at Rosehill, we’ve got to make sure he’s ready,” said Baker, who partnered with his father, to win the 2010 VRC Derby with Lion Tamer.
Baker also links with Godolphin in the Doncaster, with Pericles ($18), which won the group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) before finishing third in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last start. He drew 14 on Tuesday.
“I thought his run in the George Ryder was phenomenal,” he said.
“He covered ground, had to work throughout, so to be beaten three lengths by Autumn Glow in probably the form race of the year, I think he’s absolutely flying.
“He’s got a lot of weight on the Doncaster [57kg], but if he has any luck in running. He’s come second before and I think he’s definitely capable of going one better.
“It’s a very competitive race, as we know, but I wouldn’t swap my bloke for anyone.”
In the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes, Baker has first-up specialist Overpass from gate seven.
“The firmer the track, probably the better, but he can get through a softish track as well,” he said.
“His first-up record in recent times is phenomenal. A very good fourth in the Everest and in the TJ last year he was second.”
In the day’s other group 1, the Sires Produce Stakes, Baker has Paradoxium and Rachini. Paradoxium, which Yulong has recently bought into, was 11th in the Golden Slipper from a horror draw and was given another on Tuesday with 14. Rachini has 11.
“Paradoxium, he’s definitely a colt we are yet to see the best of,” he said.
“His win in the Todman was sensational, it was just the gate last time. He had to work, work and work, he covered a lot of ground and we couldn’t overcome that. I thought his run to be beaten less than five lengths was phenomenal.
“Up to the 1400, I’m very confident. I think he’s already gone close to 1400 in the Golden Slipper and he’s bounced through it.
“Rachini’s a really promising filly and was a really good fifth first up, and then last time winning at Wyong, a track she probably didn’t love, but she was dominant. So she ticked off that 1350- 1400 question mark. She’s a filly that’s shown us a lot and she’s not out of it.
“It’s good to have a few good chances on a big day. Obviously, you want to compete at the Championships. That’s what we’re about, so fingers crossed. If we get one, it will be a great day.”
