Baker backs Stefi for short and sharp return on demanding track

1 day ago 6

By Craig Kerry

September 12, 2025 — 5.00pm

Trainer Bjorn Baker believes Doncaster Mile champion Stefi Magnetica will be a great chance first-up in the group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday after choosing the fillies and mares feature over the Theo Marks Stakes.

The five-year-old All Too Hard mare, a $140,000 yearling buy now with more than $6 million in prize money, was set to return from a spell in the group 2 Theo Marks against both sexes over 1300m under quality conditions. Baker, though, also accepted in the 1200m Sheraco, run under set weights and penalties.

Stefi Magnetica comes down the outside to win the Doncaster in April.

Stefi Magnetica, with 60 kilograms topweight in the Theo Marks, was fourth emergency but scraped into the 12-strong field, which had minimum weight of 53kg, on Friday with scratchings. Unbeaten Autumn Glow was an odds-on favourite with just 54kg.

Baker’s star has 59kg equal topweight with favourite and newly confirmed Everest runner Joliestar in the Sheraco, which attracted just nine runners with bottom weight of 54kg.

She drew the outside gate and was an $11 hope with Sportsbet in both races. The other factor for Baker was the Rosehill track, which had improved from a heavy 10 to an eight on Friday morning, with more fine weather to come.

“We are probably leaning towards the Sheraco now, to be honest, just with the weights, so we will probably go that way,” Baker said before scratching in the Theo Marks.

“Initially, I didn’t quite think the weight spread would be as big as it was, but obviously the Theo Marks depended on other nominations. So from a weight-spread point of view, and with the demanding track, I’m probably a little bit happier at 1200 instead of 1300.

“And at the end of the day, she didn’t draw well in either race.”

Baker hopes to have Stefi Magnetica, a group 1 winner over 1400m and 1600m, in prime condition for the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on Everest day, October 18, at Randwick. She has had three trials and Baker is looking to the 1400m group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill on September 27 as the second-up assignment.

The Warwick Farm trainer, though, believes she can fire first-up over the shorter trip. She flashed home for second this time last year to finish second in The Shorts (1100m) and earn a slot in the Everest (1200m), where she was ninth.

“I’m very happy with her, I can’t fault her,” he said.

“She’s very well, she can sprint well fresh, and I’m sure she will run a good race. You’ve only got to look at her form, she’s going to be right in it, I would have thought, as a great chance.”

Rachel King has the ride in the Sheraco, where Joliestar ($2.30) and Gangsta Granny ($2.90) led the market.

Baker also has Crown The King ($18) in the group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400) after he was a fighting third in the Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) last start.

“Crown The King is rock-hard fit, so he will roll forward, and the more demanding track, the better for him,” he said.

“A bit of rain around probably brings him into the race a bit more. He went well last start, he’s up in trip again, and he’s not out of it.”

Nkosi ($5) in the fourth, a benchmark 88 over 1800m, was his other hope. Bonita Queen was set to be scratched from the fifth.

A Kiwi import, Nkosi won first up at Wyong but then faded to finish seventh at Rosehill in benchmark 78 grade over 1500m.

“He’s up in trip and a demanding track probably helps him a little bit. The blinkers go on and he’s a good chance,” Baker said.

“Last time, a bit of a sprint home probably didn’t suit him. We’ll be positive with him.”

Lloyd looks to Everest again

A week after helping Headwall stake his claim for an Everest slot with victory in the Concorde Stakes, Zac Lloyd is keen to get a confirmed starter on track for the $20 million race.

With James McDonald at Flemington on Saturday, Lloyd has picked up the Sheraco Stakes ride on Joliestar, which was announced on Wednesday as trainer Chris Waller and his partners’ choice to fill their Everest slot.

Joliestar, which McDonald rode to seventh in last year’s Everest, is the fifth confirmed runner in the October 18 race and resumes as favourite in the Sheraco at Rosehill.

She was second to another Everest contender, Jimmysstar, in Lloyd’s only ride on her, in the group 1 All Aged Stakes last April.

“I only sat on her that one time and she gave me a lovely ride,” Lloyd said.

Trainer Matt Smith embraces jockey Zac Lloyd after Headwall’s win in the Concorde Stakes.

“It’s a very winnable race for her and all reports are she’s come back well this prep, so excited for Saturday.

“Obviously, Headwall was good, but hopefully she can run well, return well and be on track for the Everest.”

Lloyd has the chance on Saturday with another feature race favourite, Run To The Rose fancy Raging Force, after Tommy Berry’s suspension from the Peter Snowden-trained gelding’s last-start win in the San Domenico Stakes.

Raging Force was a $3.10 favourite on Friday for a high-class edition of the group 2.

“Obviously, no hiding this time of the year. It’s a proper race, and pretty much a Golden Rose warm up,” Lloyd said.

“He’s got a nice barrier. I worked him on Tuesday and he gave me a lovely feel. Tommy told me as much as he can and hopefully he can go out Saturday and race well again.

“Tommy told me he’s very straightforward. Obviously, more than happy to get my sit on him this time and Tommy I’m sure will be back on him for the Golden Rose if he performs well.”

Lloyd keeps the ride on John Sargent-trained Flying Orchid in the Ming Dynasty Quality, where he was a $6 chance after a heavy track win at Wyong to stay unbeaten from two starts.

“I won on him last time at Wyong and he gave me a great ride,” he said.

“Real progressive horse, still learning his craft. He’s very laid back and I think he’s going to appreciate probably getting over a bit further.

“But Saturday is a big jump for him from obviously just provincial grade, but he’s very progressive. John has a nice opinion of him and if he can run well and be hitting the line strongly that can open a lot of doors for him later in the prep.”