Bjorn Again: Stradbroke winner Bjorn Baker to strike again in Queensland winter carnival

Seven days after scoring the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker can land another Queensland winter carnival feature race.

Bjorn Baker is looking to strike again while the iron is hot in Queensland. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

It could be Bjorn Again in Queensland on Saturday.

Seven days after scoring the $3m Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with brilliant filly Stefi Magnetica, Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker is unleashing short-priced favourite Wategos in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.

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Baker is returning from Europe where he had ventured for the wedding of jockey Rachel King to Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton.

But Baker has also been plotting to score knock off another Queensland winter carnival feature race.

If Wategos wins as the $2.40 favourite in the Eye Liner, it will be Baker’s first winner at the Ipswich track which is situated west of Brisbane.

Baker feels he has found a perfect race for Wategos, a son of Capitalist who was beaten into second last start by in-form Queenslander and Stradbroke Handicap second emergency, Yellow Brick.

Who else but @mcacajamez?! 😍

JMAC steers Yellow Brick to victory at Eagle Farm! 👏 pic.twitter.com/v6aOIXJ7oH

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 8, 2024

Baker feels drawing barrier one is a godsend for Wategos who will look to score his ninth win at his 24th career start.

“Wategos has thrived up in Brisbane and I thought his last run was excellent and he probably didn’t get momentum when he needed it,” Baker told Racenet, from Europe.

“Gate one is a big positive for him, because he can utilise his natural speed and roll forward.

“He has got a great winning strike rate and I must say, it looks a sensational race for him at Ipswich. I haven’t had a winner at Ipswich before and he can run really well.”

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Wategos can strike for Bjorn Baker at Ipswich on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Damien Thornton has been booked to ride Wategos who has been solid as the $2.40 favourite since markets opened.

As revealed by Racenet on Tuesday, Baker’s Stradbroke winning filly Stefi Magnetica is being spelled rather than racing in next week’s Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.

The Stefi Magnetica team is eyeing off a potential $20m The Everest campaign in the Sydney spring carnival.

Originally published as Bjorn Again: Stradbroke winner Bjorn Baker to strike again in Queensland winter carnival