Stradbroke Handicap 2016: Bjorn Baker eager to replicate the deeds of trainer John Wheeler in glamour Group 1

BJORN Baker is planning on replicating some Stradbroke magic of his own when Music Magnate attempts to break a 28-year hoodoo in Saturday’s $1.5 million race.

Kerrin McEvoy and Music Magnate return to scale after winning the Doomben 10,000. Picture: AAP

BJORN Baker is planning on replicating the Stradbroke magic he heard so many stories about from good mate John Wheeler when Music Magnate attempts to break a 28-year hoodoo in Saturday’s $1.5 million race.

Wheeler became an icon of the Queensland winter carnival through the feats of the mighty Rough Habit, a dual Stradbroke winner who was adopted by local racing fans as one of their own after making the winter carnival his personal playground from 1990 to 1995.

“Wheels’ is just a champion bloke and he’s been a great family mate for a long time,” Baker said. “He would always have plenty of stories to tell after his annual Queensland trip. He just loves it here.”

Just as Wheeler was adopted as a Queenslander, punters this side of the border have now taken a real shine to Baker, who has trained seven winners from just 19 runners in Queensland this season.

Having won a maiden Group 1 race in his own right with Music Magnate, Baker will have runners in all four Group 1 races this Saturday. Imposing Lass goes to the Oaks, Cadogan runs in the J.J. Atkins and Colonel Custer is a Queensland Derby contender.

Music Magnate is attempting to become the first horse since Campaign King in 1988 to complete the 10,000-Stradbroke double.

Trainer Bjorn Baker receives his trophy from former jockey Jimmy Cassidy after Music Magnate won the Doomben 10,000. Picture: AAP

Baker concedes that’s a mountain of history to overcome, but says there are valid reasons why Music Magnate can buck the trend, including his handicap and the fact he can come from anywhere in the field pending the race pattern.

“He’s a more adaptable horse than people think. He can sit on the speed or, like he showed at Doomben, can come from behind,” Baker said.

“All of his form is around good horses and the only other time he’s been fourth up in a preparation he won easily over 1400m at Randwick.

“At the handicap, he gets his chance and he even meets Azkadellia 1kg better for beating her. He’s in great order and he’s going to run a mighty race.”

The Stradbroke field continued to fall away yesterday, with Stratum Star, Nostradamus and Federal ruled out, leaving locals like Trubia and The Virginian on the brink of a start if connections wanted to take that option.

Team Hawkes is expected to enter Kaepernick in a Sunshine Coast barrier trial on Tuesday before making the final call on whether he runs in the QTC Cup or Stradbroke.

Fancied runners Archives and Jericho were on Sunday ruled out of the J.J. Atkins after missing a 1400m lead-up in Saturday’s abandoned The Phoenix.

Music Magnate takes out the Doomben 10,000. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography