Bjorn Baker confident Stefi Magnetica can be the first mare to win The Everest

A country maiden winner at this time last year, Stefi Magnetica is chasing a historic win in The Everest at Randwick on Saturday.

Stefi Magnetica has risen from obscurity to the richest race on turf, now trainer Bjorn Baker is banking on the brilliant mare to defy history in the $20m TAB Everest at Royal Randwick.

No mare has ever won The Everest in seven editions however the latest race will have its strongest ever representation with five mares and filly in the field.

Stefi Magnetica, a mare who had only won a maiden at Wellington at this time last year, is one of the best chances to break the duck this Saturday.

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“Black Caviar, Winx, Sunline, the females at the Olympics this year, I tell you without females, the Australasian medal tally would be pretty low so if mares are going to balance it up it will be this year,” Baker quipped.

“I’ve run a sixth, an eighth and a 10th so I am hoping Stefi Magnetica is the best chance.

“I must say I was hoping Overpass would get a slot this year but the one bad run he had last year was in The Everest.

“That probably held him back this year.”

Stefi Magnetica broke her maiden at Wellington. Picture: Janian McMillan/Racing Photography

Overpass is the first emergency for The Everest while Stefi Magnetica is a $14 chance with Zac Lloyd booked to ride.

Stefi Magnetica has been a revelation for Baker over the past 12 months and has gone from strength to strength since her maiden victory in the bush.

She has since risen to the top level of Australian racing, claiming the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm during the winter.

“She has been a remarkable filly,” Baker said.

“She won her first race at Wellington, not New Zealand, but in west NSW.

“You would rarely see a horse kick off and win her first race at Wellington and then end up in the world’s biggest sprint. It is remarkable.

“She has just continued to improve.”

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Stefi Magnetica was snapped up for The Everest following her fast finishing second to I Am Me in the Group 2 The Shorts last month and will run in Newgate/GPI Racing slot.

Baker was in attendance at Tuesday’s barrier event under the Big Top at Royal Randwick and was delighted when gate six was revealed.

“It definitely helps to have a good gate at this level, if you can save a bit of ground,” Baker said.

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

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“All the horses are so good so you don’t want to be spending any extra energy.

”In saying that, Stefi Magnetica made her way into the Stradbroke Handicap, Queensland’s biggest race, and I think she drew close to the outside.

”Sometimes you can overanalyze and you don’t know how the track is going to play.”

Baker is a chance of claiming a lucrative Sydney sprint double with Overpass ($5) set to line up in the $2m Sydney Stakes with Josh Parr aboard.

Originally published as Bjorn Baker confident Stefi Magnetica can be the first mare to win The Everest