Bjorn Baker hoping Overpass, Stefi Magnetica and Caballus can earn The Everest slots

With only one runner locked in for this year’s $20 million The Everest, trainer Bjorn Baker is keen for several of his sprinters to put their hand up for the world’s richest race on turf.

Trainer Bjorn Baker and wife Andrea with Overpass before one of his The Everest tilts. Picture: Richard Dobson

Trainer Bjorn Baker’s The Everest ambitions don’t start and end with Overpass.

Baker revealed he has three sprinters in his stable he hopes will be good enough to earn a start in the $20 million at Royal Randwick in October including Caballus and Stefi Magnetica.

Overpass, who contested The Everest last year and ran unplaced behind Think About It, seems almost certain to be picked up by a slot-holder for the world’s richest turf race after his wins in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes and a second successive The Quokka.

The form out of The Quokka was franked last week when Bella Nipotina followed her fourth to Overpass in Perth with a fast-finishing win over ruling The Everest favourite I Wish I Win in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 last Saturday.

Throwback to last year’s Quokka where Overpass held off Amelia’s Jewel in a photo finish! Who wins on Saturday? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/fn4QH0qjoy

— TAB (@tabcomau) April 18, 2024

Baker maintains Overpass, who is raced by Scott Darby of Darby Racing, would have been in the mix at Doomben only for his sprinter to contract a minor viral complaint after his return from Perth.

“Overpass had a temperature, nothing major, and we had to send him to the paddock,’’ Baker said.

“It’s disappointing we couldn’t get to Brisbane because his form is impossible to fault.

“But he is doing well now and we might look at going into The Everest fresh-up because he is so good at the start of a preparation.

“There is plenty of water to flow under the bridge yet - there might be a few (Everest) vacancies this year.’’

Baker revealed he has a huge opinion of his rising four-year-olds, Caballus and Stefi Magnetica.

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Caballus has impressed since moving to Bjorn Baker’s yard. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Caballus, who races in the same interests as Overpass, has only had three starts for the Baker stable, winning twice including the Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes and a third placing in the Inglis Sprint.

“I don’t think Caballus is out of it,’’ Baker said. “He is extremely promising.

“He could not have done too much more last preparation, his win in the Eskimo Prince was outstanding and ran well without winning in Melbourne.

“With a good break, he will be even better again in the spring.’’

Stefi Magnetica was first-up in the Doomben 10,000 and ran a blinder, coming from last to finish a close fifth despite being on the worst part of the track.

“I thought Stefi Magnetica’s run was super without a whole heap of luck last week,’’ Baker said.

“She will go to the Fred Best Classic next and then we hope she can get into the Stradbroke Handicap. The Everest is the dream, you just never know.’’

Originally published as Bjorn Baker hoping Overpass, Stefi Magnetica and Caballus can earn The Everest slots