Baker scratched Dynamic Impact (Real Impact {Jpn}) from Saturday’s Tab Wave at Aquis Park Gold Coast, opting to instead run the well-performed 4-year-old gelding out of Soleil Royal (French Deputy {USA}) at his home track of Rosehill, but with the option to still race on Magic Millions Day.
“It’s always a tough decision and of course (The Wave) is a big money race, especially considering he’s a Magic Millions graduate,’’ Baker said. “But I just thought the Rosehill race, it’s on our home turf, he’s run very well at Rosehill previously, he gets a couple of kilos off and it’s a couple of grades back at least from his good fourth last time.
Bjorn Baker
“You look at The Wave, it was a tough race and he was in there as a roughie trade chance. I think if he runs up to his best on Saturday at Rosehill we should be right in the finish.’’
Dynamic Impact remains in the 1800-metre race on Magic Millions Day and Baker said if he ran well on Saturday, there was opportunity to “whisk him up here on a relatively quick back-up’’.
“Jenny (Duggan) won on him first-up brilliantly at Rosehill so we’re meeting some of the criteria that’s worked successfully before for him,’’ Baker said. “I think it looks a very good race for him, especially with the favourite (Sword Point) coming out Friday morning.’’
Dynamic Impact | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
A horse that is on track at the Gold Coast on Saturday is Lady Of Luxury (Criterion {NZ}) lining up in the Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO Fillies and Mares Class 4 Plate.
“She was up here last year… she came second in the maiden and it was a good run that day,’’ Baker said. “I thought she was unfairly labelled as a non-winner. Well she’s well and truly changed that this preparation and won four races and done a fantastic job, of course winning at Randwick last time.’’
Lady Of Luxury | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Craig Williams aboard Lady of Luxury was a big positive and Baker said she handles all tracks, so ominous conditions and a high chance of rain prior would make her very competitive.
“She’s a lovely laid-back mare, whatever she does. She’s still in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares 1300metre so we have got the option to back her up, but I’m just mindful she has been up for a while and she probably has to come to the end of it at some stage,’’ said Baker.
Sydney showing needed
Down in Sydney, Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) will contest the Listed January Cup at Rosehill Gardens with Rachel King taking the ride.
Baker says the grey out of Listed race winner Fill The Page (Dane Shadow) will be assessed on this run for his suitability in the Subzero 2400-metre race on Magic Millions Day.
Fun Fact | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“His run last time wasn’t too bad at all. He wasn’t beaten overly far and I think he’ll be fitter for that run,’’ Baker said. “The plan is if he goes half okay, we’ll definitely back him up in the Magic Millions 2400 (metre) race… funnily enough, it’s the Subzero, so hopefully he will run well in that for the greys.’’
Parry Sound the main player
Parry Sound (Pierro), is to be the big hope for Bjorn Baker Racing on the big Magic Millions raceday.
“We’ve got Parry Sound sound and he’s the main card for us in the staying races,’’ Baker said. “He was very good last time. I think he’s a natural 2400(metres) horse and we’ve been thrilled with him since that win at Randwick.
“We’ve got Parry Sound sound and he’s the main card for us in the staying races.’’ - Bjorn Baker
“We’ve got James McDonald booked to ride and I’m really looking forward to him going around. He’s a lovely, casual horse. He came second in the race last year when I didn’t have him but he’s very well suited at 2400(metres) and he’s definitely the best of them.’’
Edison (Fastnet Rock) and Frosty Rocks (Your Song) are both ready for the 1400-metre race (Magic Millions Cup) on Magic Millions Day, with jockeys to be confirmed.
“Frosty Rocks was only ordinary first-up and she’s going to have to improve off that but Edison has run a couple of okay races and the 1400(metres) should suit both of them. They’ll both be down in the weights and they’re in there as real chances,’’ offered Baker.
Gallery: Bjorn Baker runners in the Magic Millions Cup
A time to buy
The Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is one of the most important times of the year for any trainer, says Baker, and he is hard at work on the Gold Coast looking for nice horses and good value.
“Getting the new horses is very important and we’ll be looking to probably buy a dozen or so yearlings and hopefully can be pretty active,’’ Baker said. “I think it is going to be a strong Sale and the catalogue is very strong. I’m here at the moment and we’ll do our groundwork and make sure we cover all bases and hopefully buy some nice horses at good value.’’
“Getting the new horses is very important and we’ll be looking to probably buy a dozen or so yearlings and hopefully can be pretty active.’’ - Bjorn Baker
Friday was the first day Baker was at the Magic Millions Sale complex to have a look at the parades.
“We’ll have a good look at them and get around and do a fair bit over the next few days and hopefully, come Monday, we’ll have a bit of a shortlist and be organised.
“We went to the Southern Highlands and also up to the Hunter Valley so we’ve done a little bit of homework but there’s still plenty more to do.’’
Jim Clarke | Image courtesy of Clarke Bloodstock
Jim Clarke, of Clarke Bloodstock, is a good friend of Baker’s and, along with Bjorn Baker Racing vet Allan Frogley, is on hand at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in the hunt for 'some goodies'.
