As President of the Victorian Jockeys’ Association, you would think Stephen Baster would be clued in as to the timing of Group 1 races.
Before retiring in November 2019, Baster rode 14 Group 1 winners and had his finger on the pulse, but nowadays he is selling real estate on the Mornington Peninsula while also helping his jockey brethren.
Baster has dipped his toe into horse ownership with a small share in Callsign Mav who runs in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Callsign Mav is aiming to become the first horse since Trust In A Gust (2014) to win the Group 1 double of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Toorak Handicap.
By a quirk of fate, Baster missed seeing Callsign Mav win the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on September 17 which gave Jamie Mott his first Group 1 victory.
“I was sitting in a coffee shop with an 80-year-old woman talking about selling her unit,” Baster said.
“A couple of birds flew into the cafĂ©, and the people couldn’t get them out, so I was giving them a hand and when I got back to the phone, I had 30 messages on it.
“I totally forgot it was running. I was disappointed I wasn’t there, but I was rapt for Motty.
“He deserved that more than anything and I thought he’d suit the horse.
“He was tough bugger to to ride against and that was why I was keen for him to ride him, not that my small percentage in the horse would have held much sway.”
While Baster may have missed being on-course to enjoy the immediate celebrations, he made up for it at dinner that night.
“To have some good times with friends, but it does make it hard as I’m working Saturday’s,” Baster said.
“I can’t get there on Saturday as I’ll be working, but I’ll try and watch it this time though.”
Baster has small shares in a few other horses, including one with New Zealand trainer John Bary who was Callsign Mav’s original conditioner before joining the Danny O’Brien stable.
The filly is a trial winner in New Zealand and as luck would have, nicely bred.
“This one is the second foal of the dam and when we got her the first hadn’t raced,” Baster said.
“Ruthless Dame is the name of the first foal who is unbeaten in two starts and won a Group 3 race at Flemington at her second start.
“It’s a half to that, so hopefully we’re a bit blessed.”
