Baker cooks up memorable Doncaster Mile win

Bjorn Baker was blaming hay fever but the enormity of winning one of Sydney’s iconic races on a day that his family held dear managed to bring even the usually unflappable trainer to tears.

Known for his big personality and fun-loving nature, Baker was choking back his emotions after Stefi Magnetica burst from the pack late to claim Saturday’s $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

Not only was it racing’s equivalent of proving himself capable of winning Finals football, it came on a day that his gifted trainer-father Murray had often made his own, having claimed one of the afternoons other features, the Australian Derbies, five times, the first of them with Nom Du Jeu in 2008.

“Hay fever. It’s very bad at this time of year,” the New Zealand-born Baker quipped as he fought back tears.

“I remember when Murray actually won with Nom Du Jeu and Chris Waller won his first Group One in the Doncaster that day (with Triple Honour).

“There is one bloke who will be happier for me and he’s been the biggest influence in my career, Murray, and he would be very, very proud.

“He is still giving me a bit of advice about how we could have ridden a couple of the others better or what I should have done, but it’s so special. He loves it, he has always loved Australian racing and I’m lucky to be a part of it.”

Last year’s Stradbroke Handicap winner, Stefi Magnetica ($18) had a torrid run first-up and Baker felt she was slightly disappointing next time out when unplaced in the George Ryder Stakes.

But she bounced back to her best from a good draw on Saturday and aided by a beautiful ride from Jason Collett, she nailed Royal Patronage ($14) by a head with Encap ($51) flashing late to grab third another half-neck away.

“Jason Collett, he’s a bit like me, we needed a big one during The Championships. It’s very, very special,” Baker said.

“Last time I was a tad disappointed with her and it just worked out great (on Saturday). She drew a gate today, Jason (turned in a) great ride, and she’s tough. We know she performs third-up.”

Baker is in the midst of an outstanding season and sits third on the Sydney trainers’ premiership.

His afternoon could have been even better with Overpass leading for much of the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) before being overhauled late by Briasa to finish a game second.

While he has enjoyed his share of success in big races, Baker says capturing a Doncaster Mile ranks as his greatest career achievement.

“I’m very lucky, I’m having some good days. Even Stefi Magnetica winning the Stradbroke and then winning the Brisbane Cup (with Alegron),” Baker said.

“At the end of the day it’s an iconic Sydney race and I had to win an Iconic Sydney race – I’d won a Winx Stakes, I’d won a Tancred – but that’s what makes it special.”

Collett was shocked to find himself in front at the finish and said his mid-race focus had been on getting her into a rhythm.

“Most of that race they went a very slow tempo but I was in the right spot and her turn of foot was electric,” Collett said.

He was also mindful of Baker’s instructions, the trainer referencing their bad luck in the Golden Slipper when Within The Law dislodged Collett after making contact with the running rail.

“Bjorn just said, ‘get to the fence, but not like you did in the Slipper’,” Collett said.

Linebacker started a $5.50 favourite and jockey Zac Lloyd described his run as “enormous” after he was slow to begin.

“Probably the best horse in the race, he just never executed,” Lloyd said.