From clumsy backyard sportsman to social media star to winning trainer on a spring day of Group One racing.
Bjorn Baker’s week has had it all but it ended the right way when Goodfella found his best form in winning the BRMM Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.
Goodfella’s win led to an obvious analogy after a backyard basketball session out went awry when Baker lost his balance on a swiss ball as he attempted a slam dunk.
Baker’s mishap was posted on social media, showing the trainer landing heavily.
He was still nursing his shoulder, arm and wrist as Goodfella returned to scale with Jason Collett.
“I did the dunk too, and we’ve got another one now,” he said.
Goodfella ($10) had to sit wide without cover in the benchmark race for three-year-olds before reaching the lead at the 200m and keeping his advantage.
The Snitzel colt held off fast-finishing Our Mantra ($6) by a short neck with the $4.40 favourite Sparky Lad a half length back in third.
“He’s a good horse, he just does a lot wrong,” Baker said.
“I thought Jason rode him well, he didn’t panic. It was a big effort sitting three deep outside the lead.”
Goodfella opened his spring in the Heritage Stakes and despite finishing last behind Viridine, there was merit in the run as he closed off late in the race to be beaten four lengths behind the winner over an unsuitable 1100m.
“He’s back in the game, he’s got a lot options. We’ve got the Magic Millions three-year-old race and we may even look at taking him down to Melbourne for a race,” Baker said.
