Trainer Bjorn Baker makes stunning declaration as Caballus reigns supreme in Eskimo Prince Stakes

Bjorn Baker wasn’t afraid to make a huge call on new stable recruit Caballus after the colt’s impressive victory in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick.

Exciting colt Caballus maintained his unbeaten record for since joining the Bjorn Baker yard with a big win in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Bjorn Baker wasn’t making an idle boast when he declared Caballus among the best horses he has trained after the colt’s brilliant win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Caballus out-gunned a small but select field of crack three-year-olds in the Group 3 $250,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

Baker has only had new stable recruit Caballus for a short period with the colt winning both his starts for his new trainer and owners, Darby Racing.

But in that time Caballus has created a huge impression on Baker who believes the colt has “unlimited potential”.

“Caballus is the second-best horse I have trained after Ozzmosis,” Baker declared.

“I was very lucky to get him, (owners) Darby Racing have been unbelievably good to me, and this colt has been an absolute pleasure to train.

“I’m the benefactor of a ready-made horse, he’s very straightforward and everything’s worked out well.”

Caballus wins the Group 3 Eskimo Prince in dominant fashion!@JoshuaParr8@BBakerRacing@Darby_Racingpic.twitter.com/1RkjndBaHn

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 10, 2024

Caballus, who drifted from $4.80 out to $7, was ridden by Josh Parr and although he covered extra ground but still proved too good for his rivals, winning by a length from the talented filly Makarena ($5) with Encap ($9.50) just over a length away third.

Favourite Moravia ($3.50) raced on speed and held on for fourth, just ahead of Celestial Legend with Tom Kitten doing his best work on the line.

The only real disappointment of the race was Caulfield Guineas winner Griff ($5.50) who led for home but faded out of contention to finish at the rear of the field.

Baker admitted he was “a little bit nervous” asking Caballus to jump from a Benchmark 72 win straight to the Eskimo Prince Stakes.

“I thought it was a tough ask to jump up to Group 3 level,” Baker said.

“Then on Tuesday morning at Warwick Farm the track was very wet, we had a lot of rain and I didn’t think he was quite going as well as he could. So it was hard to get a good guide on him.”

Baker said he was concerned mid-race was when Caballus was trapped three-wide.

“Midway through the race, he was three-wide and I was thinking ‘I don’t know’, but he (Josh Parr) knew better,” Baker said.

Parr explained he wanted to take advantage of the race fitness edge Caballus enjoyed over his rivals.

“I thought today, the best way for me to take advantage of this horse having a run under his belt compared to his opposition was to be as close as I could, comfortably,” Parr said.

Bjorn Baker, syndicator Scott Darby (centre) and jockey Josh Parr celebrate the win of Caballus in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

“So, pre-race I made sure I was pretty adamant that I was going to press forward a little bit, all within reason.

“Obviously we didn’t get the cover but with that south-easterly blowing we’re running down wind down the side and he did no work to the 400m.

“From the top of the straight I knew with this horse’s turn of foot and with his race-fitness as well, there was no way they were going to beat him. His turn of foot was electric.”

Caballus was picked up by Scott Darby of Darby Racing at a Inglis Digital Sale for $315,000 late last year.

“When Caballus won at Randwick as a two-year-old he beat Estriella and Shaken, and we had a couple in the race that went alright, and I remember being impressed with what he did that day,” Darby said.

“So, when he came up for sale, I thought this colt has a lot of upside.

“Did I think he was going to do that and more maybe, well you are hoping.”

Caballus improved his record to three wins from seven starts with the colt’s all-important Group 3 win adding considerably to his potential value as a stud prospect given he is a son of super sire I Am Invincible.

Baker said Caballus will now likely be set for the $1m Inglis 3yo Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on March 2 – a race the trainer and owners won with Overpass two years ago.

“The aim when we bought him was to go to the Inglis 3yo race at Flemington, so I don’t think we’ll divert from that,” he said.

“It’s a $1m race and then we might come back to Sydney for a race like the Arrowfield Sprint.”

Originally published as Trainer Bjorn Baker makes stunning declaration as Caballus reigns supreme in Eskimo Prince Stakes