Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Strada Varenna’s (Street Boss {USA}) impressive 0.18l trial win has given trainer Bjorn Baker plenty of confidence his filly can compete well in the G3 Gimcrack S. on Saturday.
The developing young sprinter displayed a strong and comfortable turn of foot to beat Perle De Chocolat (Astern) for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou at the post, and her $10 winning odds might look attractive to punters.
Baker was impressed with her trial effort ahead of her debut at Randwick.
“She’s a nice filly. I think she’ll definitely be better in time. But we can’t knock what she did in the trial,” he said.
“She continues to put condition on during the preparation, which is a great trait.
“And (Champion Jockey) James McDonald rides her on Saturday, he’s sticking with her.
“She’s a filly who’s continued to improve throughout her prep. She galloped this morning with a mate, Rachel King rode her and we’re happy with her.
“She’s (Strada Varenna) a filly who’s continued to improve throughout her prep. She galloped this morning with a mate, Rachel King rode her and we’re happy with her.” - Bjorn Baker
“She recovered well, and I think she’s definitely fitter for that trial, too.”
Strada Varenna was purchased by Newgate Bloodstock from the draft of Emirates Park at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $100,00.
“No doubt about it (the $100,000 purchase could be a shrewd one). Newgate are very smart operators, in conjunction with Ladbrokes Racing Club,” Baker said. “So, every horse you get given by Newgate and Ladbrokes is definitely going to be a chance.
Strada Varenna as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Thrilled to get the opportunity, and I think she’s going to run well.”
The 2-year-old filly is from the G2 QTC Cup winner Varenna Miss (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to Group 1 victors Criterion (NZ) and Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) and Listed winner Silently (Anabaa {USA}).
Strada Varenna is the eighth foal of Varenna Miss, who was acquired by Emirates Park for $1 million from Newgate Farm at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale Select Session. Varenna Miss currently has a yearling filly by Tassort but was not bred in 2023.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Her sire, Street Boss (USA), is the sire of nine-time Group 1 champion Anamoe, and of eight further Group 1 winners, as well as last Saturday’s Golden Rose runner-up Traffic Warden. Street Boss has produced 73 stakes victors worldwide, with his progeny earning over $146 million in prizemoney.
“I haven’t had too many Street Bosses, but obviously he’s a Champion Sire, and out of a good mare gives you a bit of confidence, too,” Baker said.
Street Boss (USA) | Standing at Darley
“She definitely has a good pedigree, and as a trainer you’re always happy to train a nice horse with a good pedigree.”
O’ Ole has the mentality to be a Group winner on debut
O’ Ole (Ole Kirk) was Baker’s other winner from the 2-year-old trials at Randwick last Monday.
She was also a good performer, leading by 2l at the 300-metre mark, before holding off the fast-finishing Bel Merci (Extreme Choice) to salute by 0.36l.
Her 49.11s – with a closing sectional of 33.40s – was the equal-fastest time of the day.
O’ Ole showed excellent gate speed, before relaxing and kicking strongly on straightening for jockey Rachel King.
Bred, like her sire, by Gilgai Farm, O’ Ole was a $325,000 purchase at Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Baker and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA).
O' Ole as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is from the first crop of Vinery Stud’s exciting prospect Ole Kirk, a winner of the stallion-making G1 Golden Rose and the G1 Caulfield Guineas. She is out of the Sepoy mare Vellor, who is a daughter of the G2 Surround S. winner Hosannah (Octagonal {NZ}) and a half-sister to the G2 Magic Night S. victress Altar (Commands).
Baker has been particularly impressed with O’ Ole’s unflappable attitude.
“She’s a lovely filly with a great temperament. She’s handled everything very well,” he said.
“She won a jump-out at Warwick Farm very well before winning her trial at Randwick.
“All she does is sleep, eat and work, so as a trainer she does make my job a little bit easier,” Baker said. “We did expect her to trial well. I think, if anything, she’s probably improved fitness-wise.”
“All she (O' Ole) does is sleep, eat and work, so as a trainer she does make my job a little bit easier. We did expect her to trial well. I think, if anything, she’s probably improved fitness-wise.” - Bjorn Baker
O’Ole is second on the line of betting at $5.50 to win the Gimcrack S. for fillies over 1000 metres.
While Baker acknowledged it would be a tough assignment to salute on debut in a competitive Group race, he added she should not be fazed by the big occasion.
“You never quite know – first start it’s a big ask going to Randwick on a big day,” he said. “But mentally she’s very good – she’s very relaxed and tends to take everything in her stride.
“She’s a filly who’s hard not to like. Big, strong and powerful, and she’s just continued to develop.
Ole Kirk | Standing at Vinery Stud
Baker said he couldn’t wait to see if his two 2-year-olds would handle the pressure of a first career start in a Group sprint worth $250,000.
“Looking forward to it. It’s always hard to keep the 2-year-olds spot on. But I think they’ve had a good base, and they go to Randwick with every opportunity to run well,” he said.
