Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica is still a fortnight away from her race return but new barn mate Pericles is raring to go as he prepares to launch his carnival campaign in the Tramway Stakes.
Trainer Bjorn Baker was given Pericles to prepare when owners Godolphin moved from a private to public training model this season and has described the four-time Group 1 placegetter as the best tried horse to enter his stable.
“I’m very lucky to get a horse like him. He is the best credentialled horse I have received as a readymade racehorse and it’s exciting from that point of view,” Baker said.
“He is obviously a really nice horse and I’m looking forward to him getting underway in the Tramway.
“It’s not going to be an easy race. The set weights and penalties probably works into his favour a little bit.”
Pericles, who won the Tramway Stakes in 2023, hasn’t raced since finishing fifth to Stefi Magnetica in the Doncaster.
The two barn mates were matched in a 1000m exhibition gallop at Randwick on Wednesday, the former leading under Josh Parr and holding the mare at bay by a length with Baker satisfied both were in good shape.
Stefi Magnetica is scheduled to resume in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on September 13 with the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) her Sydney goal.
Baker hasn’t ruled out backing her up in the Cox Plate (2040m) seven days later as she coped with a similar program last year when fifth in the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill before running a solid fourth in the Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington a week later.
“Who knows? We will nominate and she has backed up well before from the Golden Eagle to the mile so it’s not out of the question,” Baker said.
