Canterbury preview: Trainer Bjorn Baker aims to close out his record season on a high note
As his record season draws to a close, trainer Bjorn Baker is eager to finish on a high note – and he has just the horse to do that at Canterbury on Wednesday.
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Trainer Bjorn Baker has had by far and away his greatest season and is keen to keep adding to it at Canterbury today as he eyes more milestones in 2025/26.
Baker has so far this season prepared 155 winners, topping his previous best of 128, with his runners earning in excess of $25 million.
“It’s been an amazing season. I have a great team, great clients and I have a lot of nice horses around me,” Baker said.
“As good as this season has been, I’m looking forward to next season as well.”
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Baker is looking to get off to a quick start at Canterbury with Shalaa Gold and Olufsen kicking off their preparations in the Benchmark 64 TAB Handicap (1100m).
Shalaa Gold was runner-up in his first four starts before a breakthrough win over 1100m at Warwick Farm in January.
He showed he is on track to kick off his campaign on a positive note with two very good trials including a win over King Of Roseau in his Randwick heat on July 11.
“He’s a promising horse. He did a good job to finally win a maiden last start after placing a number of times,” Baker said.
“He has trialled well and he is definitely forward enough so I think he’s in there with a good chance.
“I’m also happy to see that the weather is pretty good this week so we will get a decent track for him.”
Shalaa Gold gets the gold in the Warwick Farm opener! ð¥@BBakerRacing ð¤ @JoshuaParr8pic.twitter.com/ZtnfGlObZr
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 27, 2025
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Olufsen doesn’t have the race experience of Shalaa Gold but showed he possessed plenty of ability with a debut win at Wyong in March.
He has also trialled very well with a second to Mirra Impact in his Randwick trial on June 27 and a fourth to Amreekiyah in a Hawkesbury heat on July 7.
“He is a full brother to Ozzmosis,” he said.
“He was very good in winning at his first start.
“He is still a little bit green and putting it all together but he has been good in his couple of trials.
“There probably isn’t much between these two and he has drawn a lovely gate as well.
“I guess Shalaa Gold will probably be a little more forward that Olufsen but it will come down to luck in running a little bit as well.”
Olufsen starts the career off right with a win for the @BBakerRacing stable at Wyong! ð pic.twitter.com/1t3vu9Elt2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 19, 2025
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Baker has O’Invincible engaged at Canterbury and Wyong on Thursday and will weigh up the two options.
The daughter of I Am Invincible is in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m) for which she has drawn barrier 13 while she has gate 7 in the Benchmark 64 at Wyong.
“She has got a wide gate but there is already three scratchings inside of her,” Baker said.
“We will just have a think about whether she runs or we wait for the next day.”
O’Invincible was below her best first-up when a well beaten sixth to Livin’ Thing at Randwick’s Kensington track but better when just over a length behind Divine Vicky when sixth at Gosford.
“She was too bad to be true first-up and I think she may have had atrial fibrillation but she definitely had an excuse that day,” he said.
“She was okay last time out and she is definitely fit and well. I think stepping up to the 1250 metres suits her as well.”
Baker felt Mortlake could run a cheeky race in the All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1550m).
“I thought he was good first-up and had excuses last time out on a very wet track at Rosehill.
“His work on Saturday was good and off that alone, I think he’s got a good chance.”
Originally published as Canterbury preview: Trainer Bjorn Baker aims to close out his record season on a high note