NewsBite

From the bush to The Everest: Remarkable climb for Bjorn Baker duo Stefi Magnetica and Overpass

Stefi Magnetica won her first race at Wellington, Overpass broke through at Orange – and together they could be contesting the world’s richest sprint race at Royal Randwick.

Ray Thomas
9 min read
September 20, 2024 - 10:13AM
Hold All Tickets - Punters (Episode 4) 21-09-24

Stefi Magnetica won her first race at Wellington, Overpass broke through at Orange – and together they could be contesting the world’s richest sprint race at Royal Randwick.

From those unremarkable beginnings, their trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to get both horses to the $20m The TAB Everest next month.

“To think we could have two Everest contenders who both started out in the bush,’’ Baker said.

“But the Central West has been a really good place for me, I’ve had so much luck taking horses out there.

“It’s about building a horse’s confidence, teaching them about racing and get them winning early. It’s seems a pretty good formula in terms of what I do, anyway.

“I always say it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.’’

• Ciaron Maher’s Bella Nipotina selected by TAB for The Everest

Although both sprinters started their race careers in the same rural region, they are taking very different routes to The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 19, but more about that later.

We visited the trainer’s Warwick Farm stables recently and Baker kindly had Stefi Magnetica and Overpass parade for the cameras.

Stefi Magnetica, named after owner Mitch Cunningham’s wife Stephanie, who the family says has a magnetic personality, came out first. She was led by her strapper, Bobbi Staveley, and the bond the two have for each other was obvious.

“She’s a real lady, ‘Stefi’, she’s pretty laid-back, very straightforward,’’ Baker said.

“She’s good with everyone – except me! She’s doesn’t like her trainer much. When I go near her, she puts her ears back. You can tell she’s not happy.’’

• Harron’s big Everest hope ruled out for Spring

Baker then took the reins and led Stefi Magnetica up the stable pathway for a photo shoot.

As if on cue, Stefi Magnetica laid her ears back and, begrudgingly, walked alongside her trainer until the mare suddenly stopped and stubbornly refused to budge.

An embarrassed Baker handed the reins back to Staveley and Stefi Magnetica’s demeanour changed immediately: the four-year-old mare pricked her ears and happily trotted back to her stable box.

“For some reason she doesn’t like me but I still love that mare,’’ Baker said.

“She’s an outstanding sprinter and what she did last season, her rise through the ranks to be a Stradbroke Handicap winner was quite extraordinary.

“You always hope that horses keep improving, but she just got better and better with racing.

“She is so exciting. There’s nothing amazing about her physically, but I just think she is such a racehorse and the best of her is still to come.’’

Trainer Bjorn Baker with his Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Stefi Magnetica. Picture: Supplied/Rory Nix
Trainer Bjorn Baker with his Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Stefi Magnetica. Picture: Supplied/Rory Nix

Overpass came out next. He’s two years older than his stablemate, obviously had more race experience and has a very different relationship with the trainer.

The six-year-old gelding goes by the stable nickname of “Stitch” – after the mischievous character in the Disney animated hit film “Lilo and Stitch’’ – and the sprinter has a big personality.

“Overpass can be naughty at times, he likes to nip you a bit, but he’s just playful,’’ Baker said.

“I’m still getting over the fact he’s only six. It’s amazing because he seems like he’s been around forever and should be more an eight or nine-year-old.

“He’s had so many campaigns interstate, he has been over to Perth a couple of times, so he has more frequent flyer points than most people but he’s done a marvellous job during his career.

“The horse has won more than $7.7m prizemoney and there’s more to come because he has never looked better.’’

• ‘A place I love’: Moreira open to full-time Australian move

Overpass, raced by Scott Darby of Darby Syndications, certainly gave Baker reason to be enthusiastic after a brilliant barrier trial win at Rosehill earlier this week before the trainer revealed his very deliberate strategy of not racing the sprinter until Everest Day.

Baker is banking on Overpass’ proven first-up ability and deserved reputation as an elite racehorse to secure a start in The Everest.

But the trainer conceded Stefi Magnetica needed to make a more immediate impression on Everest slot-holders and that is why she is resuming in the Group 2 $1m The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Stefi Magnetica was a real surprise packet last season, coming out of bush racing as a three-year-old filly and being thrown in the deep end for the Group 1 Surround Stakes where she was beaten narrowly by Tropical Squall.

• Fangirl barrier ‘evens up’ 7 Stakes clash

“I think the Surround Stakes was the telltale sign we had something special because not only did she compete, she nearly won the race,’’ Baker said.

“It was a fantastic run so from there we put her out and went to Queensland. The rest is history.’’

Stefi Magnetica is bred to be good. Her sire, All Too Hard, was a four-time Group 1 winner and half-brother to all-time great sprinter Black Caviar, undefeated winner of 25 races including 15 at Group 1 level, while her dam Mid Summer Music herself won a Stradbroke Handicap in 2012.

After a luckless fifth in the Doomben 10,000 and a close third in the Fred Best Classic, Stefi Magnetica was sent out a $15 chance for the Stradbroke but finished powerfully to edge out Bella Nipotina in a thrilling finish.

Stefi Magnetica (yellow cap) holds off Bella Nipotina (black and white striped cap) to win the Stradbroke Handicap for jockey Zac Lloyd and trainer Bjorn Baker. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography
Stefi Magnetica (yellow cap) holds off Bella Nipotina (black and white striped cap) to win the Stradbroke Handicap for jockey Zac Lloyd and trainer Bjorn Baker. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

• Richard Callander: Why I’m now a Storm Boy believer for the Golden Rose

“I thought she was phenomenal in the Stradbroke,’’ Baker said.

“She drew wide, so she had to go a long, long way back, then had to come up inside of them which was not necessarily the best part of the track.

“So, I thought there was even a little bit of hidden merit in her Stradbroke win.’’

Bella Nipotina became the third confirmed starter in The Everest earlier this week when slot-holder TAB selected the mare so it it’s quite timely Stefi Magnetica gets her chance to impress when she resumes in The Shorts on Saturday.

Baker hopes his mare can race well enough in The Shorts to convince an Everest slot-holder to lock her in for next month’s rich Randwick race.

“There’s not a lot of interest at the moment but that could easily change,’’ Baker said.

Stefi Magnetica showed she was set to sprint well fresh with a brilliant barrier trial effort earlier this month when finishing a close second to Mazu at Randwick.

“I thought her trial was excellent, she just wanted to compete and had plenty left,’’ he said.

“She’s got a little bit of residual fitness from Brisbane in the winter. She is not a big mare but is definitely stronger now, she has really developed across the shoulders.

“She’s just a racehorse and puts her best foot forward on race day.’’

• Epsom weight not a Bridge too far for Celestial Legend

Baker said Stefi Magnetica would not race again until Everest Day where she will line up in either The TAB Everest or the $1m Silver Eagle before going to the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 2.

“We have two of the biggest targets in racing for ‘Stefi’ so we’re really fortunate to even have those options on the table,’’ he said.

“Obviously we want to get her to the Golden Eagle Day and that’s going to be a super competitive, tough race.

“If she can force her way in to The Everest I would probably give her another barrier trial in between but there’s still plenty of water to flow under the bridge.’’

Overpass has contested the past two Everests, finishing a close sixth to Giga Kick in 2022 then only 10th behind Think About It last year.

Baker still can’t find a reason for Overpass’ poor run in The Everest 12 months ago given the sprinter is usually so consistent.

But Overpass did go into that race second-up and the trainer won’t be making that mistake next month.

Baker is prepared to roll the dice with Overpass and not start the sprinter before Everest Day.

Overpass (right) clears away to defend his The Quokka crown. Picture: Western Racepix
Overpass (right) clears away to defend his The Quokka crown. Picture: Western Racepix

• Baker’s big gamble on Everest start for Overpass

“I would love him to get back in The Everest,’’ Baker said.

“I think when you look through his record last year, he obviously wasn’t at his best at The Everest last year. I’m still scratching my head about that one.

“But that run aside, he has been amazing and I think he’s going better than ever. He looks fantastic and he’s a great horse.

“I think we know from experiences he is best fresh, so first-up into Everest Day is going to be exciting, whatever race he’s in.

“Even if he doesn’t make the Everest, quite possibly he’d be first emergency more than likely for the race, so if he’s in the Sydney Stakes he still might get a call up.

“He looks amazing. I think we’re in for a really good spring with him – he’s ready to go to another level.’’

• Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Boom filly on song for next big test

Baker said he would give Overpass another barrier trial and possibly a gallop between races to prepare for The Everest meeting.

“The Everest Day has got bigger and bigger,’’ Baker said. “The addition of the King Charles (III Stakes) complements the meeting perfectly.

“It’s very exciting and it’s Sydney at its best – spring time, a warm day and the atmosphere’s electric.

“It’s definitely got the best atmosphere of any race day I’ve ever been to. So, as long as I’ve got runners that day I’ll be very happy.’’

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Marathon man Baker ‘a bit sore and sorry’

Bjorn Baker runs the Sydney marathon.
Bjorn Baker runs the Sydney marathon.

Bjorn Baker admits he probably didn’t train himself as well as he prepares his racehorses after completing the Sydney Marathon last Sunday.

“I did it in four hours and 39 minutes which is well outside my best time,’’ Baker said. “I probably didn’t do the training I needed for the run but I’m happy I finished.

“Sydney was my first marathon since Berlin in 2007 when I did it in three hours and 29 minutes.

“My great story from Berlin is the champion Ethiopian runner Haile Gebreslassie, the two-time Olympic gold medallist, won the race and I was only two minutes behind him – after the first kilometre!”

Bjorn Baker completed the marathon distance in 4 hours 39 minutes.
Bjorn Baker completed the marathon distance in 4 hours 39 minutes.

Baker said he “pulled up a bit sore and sorry” after completing the 42km run but he has no qualms about the fitness and health of his classy stayer, Alegron, who is being set for the thoroughbred version of the “marathon”, the Melbourne Cup (3200m), this spring.

Tough six-year-old Alegron, winner of the Brisbane Cup earlier this year, resumes in the Group 3 $250,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“Alegron won this race a couple of years ago and although he might need the run, he’s really coming up well,’’ Baker said.

“He’s got that fitness base from racing in Brisbane over winter and he looks great. The plan is to go to The Metropolitan and then we will look at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.’’

Baker is also interested to see how new stable recruit and dual acceptor, Robusto, performs in Friday’s Group 3 $250,000 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle or the Group 3 $250,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“Robusto was purchased by Darby (Syndications) for $160,000 from the Chris Waller stable,’’ Baker said.

“We’ve only had him for about a week but he has come to us in great order. On his best form, he’s a chance in either race.’’

Also at Randwick, Baker has Thunderlips and Hollywood Hero clashing in the Nick Moraitis Trophy (1400m) and Battleton contesting the closer, the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m).

“The barrier draw wasn’t kind to Thunderlips (15) and Hollywood Hero (16) but they are both going well and are not without a chance,’’ Baker said.

“Battleton has never been better, he was only just beaten at Rosehill last week and he is ready to run a big race.’’

Originally published as From the bush to The Everest: Remarkable climb for Bjorn Baker duo Stefi Magnetica and Overpass

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/from-the-bush-to-the-everest-remarkable-climb-for-bjorn-baker-duo-stefi-magnetica-and-overpass/news-story/b8ef26fae818707fac190656006150df