Trainer Bjorn Baker hoping to snare Stradbroke Handicap from 16,000km away in London

Bjorn Baker is plotting to win the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap from the other side of the world, where he will be for the wedding of jockey Rachel King.

Bjorn Baker will be in England for Rachel King’s wedding when Stefi Magnetica aims up in Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Getty Images.

Bjorn Baker is plotting to win his first Stradbroke Handicap from more than 16,000km away.

The Sydney trainer will be in England on the weekend for the wedding of jockey Rachel King, a former Englishwoman, to Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton.

Ironically, lightweight jockey King almost certainly would have ridden Baker’s Stradbroke contender, three-year-old filly Stefi Magnetica, if the jockey wasn’t half a world away getting married.

“No doubt, Rachel probably would have ridden this horse if she wasn’t getting married on the other side of the world,” Baker said.

“But that’s racing, it’s day in and day out, every week. Rachel has had a good year and it looks like she has got some rides at Royal Ascot a few days after she gets married.

“I will be in London on Saturday and be cheering on Stefi Magnetica from afar.”

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Bjorn Baker will be in England for jockey Rachel King’s wedding when the Stradbroke Handicap is raced on Saturday.

Sydney apprentice Zac Lloyd will ride Stefi Magnetica on Saturday and he put the filly through her paces at Breakfast With The Stars at Eagle Farm on Tuesday morning.

Lloyd has ridden Stefi Magnetica once before and has told Baker the filly is lightweight Stradbroke Handicap “rocket” as the young riding gun looks to break into racing’s elite Group 1 club.

Warwick Farm trainer Baker has enjoyed Group 1 success in Queensland before – scoring the 2016 Doomben 10,000 with Music Magnate.

But a win in the $3m Stradbroke would be a far more important triumph for the former Kiwi.

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Trainer @BBakerRacing gives a glowing report on 3yo filly Stefi Magnetica’s last major trackwork hit out at Eagle Farm as she attempts to emulate La Montagna and Private Steer by winning Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. pic.twitter.com/Px2t8QIlBL

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 10, 2024

Stefi Magnetica was Group 1 placed in the Sydney autumn before running a mighty race when flashing late for fifth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

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She was the $3.70 favourite in her most recent run when third behind Roll On High in the Fred Best Classic, but was stuck on inferior ground towards the inside of the soft Eagle Farm track that day.

“I thought it was a good run, she was always going to be vulnerable that day going up from 1200(m) to 1400(m) on fairly demanding track that day,” Baker said.

“It probably wasn’t the place to be towards the inside. I think with two weeks between runs, 1400(m) and a dry track on Saturday, it probably suits a lot better.

“The Stradbroke is always a tough race, it’s a big field and you need a bit of luck.

“This filly has been plagued by probably not having the best of luck over her last six or seven starts. We are probably due some luck.”

Originally published as Trainer Bjorn Baker hoping to snare Stradbroke Handicap from 16,000km away in London