Bjorn to become Aussie citizen but not before $3.5m Kiwi slot race

Bjorn Baker is about to become an Australian citizen but not before the former Kiwi strives to grab some rich prizemoney from his former homeland in the $3.5m The Kiwi slot race.

Bjorn Baker is about to become an Australian citizen but not before pinching some rich slot race loot from his former homeland in New Zealand.

Next Wednesday, the Sydney horseman who is training winners for fun, will finally become an Australian citizen and jokes he has aced the test to be as Aussie as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

• Price is right: Why Mick was happy to take on rich Kiwi slot race

But first, he has one of the key fancies in the new $3.5m The Kiwi slot race with three-year-old filly Perfumist which has leapt through the grades in quick succession.

When Baker was training with his legendary father Murray, the pair scooped three New Zealand Group 1s in 2009-10 and at the time each was worth $200,000.

He can scarcely believe he is now saddling up a runner in New Zealand to race for the big dollars of the inaugural slot race for three-year-old horses over 1500m at Ellerslie on Saturday.

“I never would have thought when I arrived in Australia 13 years ago I would be racing in multimillion-dollar races on a regular basis in Australia, let alone back in New Zealand,” Baker said.

“The Kiwi slot race is phenomenal, it’s definitely a great initiative.

“It’s exciting for the (New Zealand) industry and it is going to give it a kick along.

“It actually looks like this race has got a great field.

“I wish I could be there on Saturday, it’s going to be a very special day and a great atmosphere, but I have some runners in some big races in Australia.”

• Hayes says best yet to come for The Kiwi fav Evaporate

Perfumist racing to victory earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

Baker described the opportunity to race in The Kiwi as “the right time and the right place” for Perfumist who has won half of her 10 career starts.

Before being beaten last start, the filly won four in a row (including three in Sydney) after starting her career last April with a country win at Bathurst.

“I never expected her to fly through the grades like she has,” Baker said.

“She has been a really exciting filly and she has done everything amazingly well and has continued to improve throughout the preparation.

“The field for The Kiwi has picked up more depth over the last few weeks and it is not going to be an easy race to win.

“But she has got a great racing pattern and a fairly flexible racing pattern too, so we are comfortable.

“We also have a jockey in great form with Ash Morgan, who is definitely a rider on the rise.

“You have got to support your team and he does a fair bit of work for me.

“He has ridden Perfumist multiple times and he has ridden all my horses exceptionally and I back him to do the job, for sure.”

• Real estate agent to slot race king: Morgan's now hot property

Of the three Aussie contenders for The Kiwi, Perfumist is the only one to have drawn to advantage in barrier two.

As a result, Perfumist firmed to be a $7.50 chance behind only Evaporate ($2.40) and Public Attention ($6) in betting.

Originally published as Bjorn to become Aussie citizen but not before $3.5m Kiwi slot race