Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Bjorn Baker lauds ‘superstar’ mare Stefi Magnetica

Stradbroke Handicap winner Stefi Magnetica did her The Everest claims no harm at all with a brilliant return at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Stefi Magnetica fought out a tight finish in The Shorts with I Am Me. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Trainer Bjorn Baker believes Stefi Magnetica now has the perfect set up to be a major player in The TAB Everest after excelling in her return in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Stefi Magnetica is yet to be snapped up for the $20m million The Everest but put slot-holders on notice with a slashing first-up spring run at the weekend.

The Stradbroke Handicap winner came from last to run a narrow second to Ciaon Maher’s I Am Me, which did her own The Everest credentials no harm with her second victory in succession this spring.

“She went super and is a superstar,” Baker declared.

“She didn’t quite get the room when she needed it but has come back bigger and better.

“First time back last time she was there at Orange, now she has come back in a Group 2.

“She puts in 100 per cent every time.”

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I AM ME wins the @yarramanpark Shorts!

Is there a #TABEverest slot awaiting something out of the $1m Group 2 sprint? The @cmaherracing mare backed up her Concorde win downing Stefi Magnetica with Mazu third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/PIxj7usBHz

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 21, 2024

Only three slots have currently been filled for The Everest with I Wish I Win (Trackside Media), Bella Nipotina (TAB) and Bustling (Max Whitby, Col Madden and Neil Werrett) all locked in.

Sheraco Stakes winner Sunshine In Paris is a near certainty to run in the Fairaway Thoroughbreds slot of owner John Camilleri.

Baker is adamant Stefi Magnetica showed she deserves her chance to run in The Everest on October 19 at Royal Randwick.

“If they want to win the race and winners are grinners, we are right here,” Baker said.

“I think the other thing for her is, the four weeks between runs is the perfect set up.

“She is perfectly primed to run a career best in four weeks.”

Baker said he will give Stefi Magnetica a trial between now and her next start.

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Trainer Bjorn Baker with Stefi Magnetica at his stables. Picture: Machine Studio

He is still hoping to get two runners in The Everest with two-time starter Overpass also in contention for a spot in the race.

Overpass will run first up on The Everest day and will line up in the Group 3 $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m) if he isn’t selected for the richest race on turf.

Several more leading contenders will put their credentials on the line next Saturday in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m).

Storm Boy, Traffic Warden and Emirate will contest the Golden Rose while current slot holder Bustling and Group 3 winner Bodyguard are expected to go around in the Heritage Stakes.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW

CEOLWULF (race 5)

Happy to follow both Eliyass and this galloper out of the Kingston Town Stakes. The winner was strong late but Joe Pride’s talented campaigner was good making up ground in the straight. Stick with him.

GRINGOTTS (race 6)

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper was terrific last prep and would have won the Bill Ritchie with more luck first-up. He’s already qualified for the Big Dance and has a big race in him this spring.

A total thriller in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap, with the outsider Mchale victorious by the narrowest of margins for @RachelK11 and @cwallerracing! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7jlz2ZWOVt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

SNOW IN MAY (race 7)

Autumn Glow was ultra-impressive winning the Tea Rose and will take beating in the Flight Stakes but nothing finished off better than this filly. She’s clearly a very smart three-year-old and has stakes quality written all over her.

STEFI MAGNETICA (race 9)

From an Orange Benchmark 58 winner to The Everest contender? It’s hard to argue that the Stradbroke winner is not a big chance of being picked up after her terrific return in The Shorts.

MORAVIA (race 10)

He’s come back enormous this preparation and was terrific winning the last in dominant fashion. Not sure what’s on the horizon for him but he will be competitive wherever he goes.

🏇 @mcacajamez rides the last four winners at Randwick, as Moravia wins the last!@MFreedmanRacingpic.twitter.com/wgQTPDzt0R

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

CRUNCH TIME

Sharp Shock (race 4): Was under hard riding on the turn before growing wings late to finish off 33.46sec for her 600m, finishing under a length off the winner.

Autumn Glow (race 7): Sat outside the lead before finishing off strongly in 33.26sec for her last 600m while Snow In May rattled home in a race-best 32.99sec for second.

Fangirl (race 8): Last in the run, her class shone through with the fastest final four furlongs of the race. Her race best final 600m of 32.93sec helped her score with ease.

Stefi Magnetica (race 9): Didn’t have a runner behind her at the 600m before rocketing home closest to the fence with a slick last 600m of 32.66sec. She ran home in splits of 10.76sec, 10.68sec and 11.22sec.

The G2 Shorts at Randwick goes to I Am Me, who puts her name forward for an Everest slot! 🙌@mcacajamez | @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/nw1CGrTI0u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

STEWARDS SAY 

Cliff House (race 3): Raced wide without cover throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination found the gelding had bled in both nostrils and he’s now been banned from racing for three months.

Gitalong (race 4): Raced keenly and got tired in the home straight. Was found to be 2/5 lame in the off-foreleg and will need veterinary clearance before racing again.

Scarlet Oak (race 6): Kerrin McEvoy thought she would be better suited by a rain-affected track. The mare was 1/5 lame in the near-hind leg post-race.

Freedom Rally (race 6): Raced keenly in the middle stages with blinkers the first time and Nash Rawiller felt like he failed to finish off as a result. A post-race veterinary examination found no abnormalities.

Zougotcha (race 8): Jockey Tommy Berry was unable to offer a reason for the disappointing performance nor could trainer Chris Waller. A post-race veterinary examination found no abnormalities.

TRACK TALK

“She’s not Winx, so we have to come back a notch and ride her properly but she should have won the Winx Stakes, there’s no two ways about that and that wasn’t her fault.” - James McDonald on Fangirl.

“James has got a bit of Darren Beadman about him. When you get those jockeys in that rich vein of form, it is rare.” - Trainer Chris Waller.

“She’s got all the class in the world. Have a look at her.” - James McDonald on Autumn Glow.

Three from three for Autumn Glow!

On to the Flight Stakes for the unbeaten @cwallerracing filly after a dominant performance in the Group 2 @DarleyStallions Tea Rose at Randwick, beating Snow In May and Manaal. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/eN3ZntqjKh

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 21, 2024

“He has a great constitution, an amazing will-to-win and I guess that’s what separates those really, really good horses.” - Trainer Adrian Bott on Eliyass.

“She always felt in control of the race and even from a furlong from home, I felt like I was always going to win, even though they were so close.” McDonald on I Am Me.

YOU CAN BET ON IT

Randwick R7

Autumn Glow was heavily backed, with big bets including multiple $10,000 win and place bets, a $5000 win bet at $2, a $3000 win bet at $2.20 and multiple $2000 bets at $2.30.

R8

The favourites continued to reign with the strongly backed Fangirl saluting with big money behind it. Big plunges included a $11,000 win bet at $2.20, a $7000 win bet $2.20 and $6000 at $2.25.

R9

I Am Me attracted the bulk of the cash from punters, although there was also interest in second favourite Private Eye ($5). The biggest wager on I Am Me with TAB was a $4000 win bet at $2.50.

THE SCHEDULE

Monday: Grafton, Narromine

Tuesday: Leeton, Taree

Wednesday: Warwick Farm

Thursday: Hawkesbury, Goulburn

Friday: Scone, Lismore

Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Kembla Grange, Gunnedah, Grenfell, Jerilderie

Sunday: Dubbo, Port Macquarie

RON DUFFICY’S ROYAL RANDWICK SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY 

Fangirl had to be right on her game considering circumstances with her racing style and that’s exactly what she was making it look easy at the finish.

Unfortunately she has to live in the shadow of Winx , but she is right up there with our great mares.

FORGET THEY RAN 

Gringotts has bigger targets later in his preparation but it was a very encouraging return from him having no luck being held up at vital stages 1st up.

He might have won if things fell into place.

THE BLACK BOOK 

I’m gambling on the Kingston Town stakes might be good form.

I’ve been a very slow learner with Eliyass but I’m now a believer so don’t give up on Ceolwulf he was great and will be a serious Epsom Handicap or Hill Stakes contender.

RIDE OF THE DAY 

Zac Lloyd had it in the bag early with a couple of beauties in races 2 and 3 but fair dinkum that bloke McDonald just owned those last four races.

Originally published as Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Bjorn Baker lauds ‘superstar’ mare Stefi Magnetica