Baker daring to dream even bigger after breakout season

3 months ago 21

By Craig Kerry

August 1, 2025 — 5.00pm

After a season where his key statistics improved up to threefold, Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker could be forgiven for chasing a repeat.

Baker, though, is daring to dream of an even better run when his new season kicks off with three good chances on Saturday’s Rosehill card.

War Eternal surges to victory on a rain-affected Randwick track on July 13 last year.

“It will be hard to top it, but you’ve got to keep dreaming,” Baker said.

“It’s been a remarkable season, and we had a lot of good fun. I’ve got a wonderful team around me and some nice horses, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“Nothing will change. We’ll just still grow along, and obviously I tend to concentrate on Sydney, so that will be the focus.”

Baker finished the 2024-25 season second on the Sydney trainers’ premiership with 90 winners at a strike rate of 20.2 per cent, up from 46 wins in 2023-24.

Statewide, he scored 152 victories and $21.25 million in prizemoney at a strike rate of 21.3 per cent, up from 96 wins and $7.87 million.

Three group 1 wins, including a first Doncaster Mile (Stefi Magnetica) and Sydney Cup (Arapaho) victories, were highlights for Baker.

“I think it’s a combination of many different things,” he said of the success.

“I’ve got great clients and a better class of horse. I haven’t sold any horses, which I would have done in the past to Hong Kong. I’ve got a great team behind me and, more than anything, a lot of progressive horses.

“I think we had a great season with our two-year-olds, and that’s probably where it starts, and hopefully, it’s the same this year.”

On Saturday, though, Baker will turn to two “old-timers” and a four-year-old on the back-upon an expected heavy track. Rosehill was a heavy 8 on Friday with more rain predicted.

Baker believes seven-year-old War Eternal, a $9.50 chance with Sportsbet in the ninth, can fire second up off an eighth at Rosehill two weeks ago. That race was War Eternal’s first in a year.

“He’s had a couple of soundness issues, but I’m confident he’s ready to go now,” he said.

“He needed that first-up run. I thought it was a bit better than it looked, and he’s had a couple of very searching gallops, and he worked very well on Tuesday morning. We know he can handle a wet track, and he’s raced in much tougher races than this. I think he goes in with a great chance.”

Trainer Bjorn Baker with War Eternal, left, in 2022.

Eight-year-old Highlights ($8.50) is in the sixth, an open 1500m handicap, after finishing fourth first-up in the same 1300m race as War Eternal.

“He was great first-up, and he always takes a run or two to get to his best, and I think he’s improved considerably,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of good, searching gallops with him, and he can get through a wet track OK, too. There’s only six in the race, so he will be able to put himself right there.”

Baker is trying a one-week back-up with Stardeel, which came from last to finish fourth in a 1300m benchmark 72 for three-year-olds. He faces a similar task over 1200m in the fifth.

“He’s fit, and I think fitness will count for a lot tomorrow,” he said.

“His wet track form is OK, so I’m happy with him and I think we may look to be more positive with him. Back in trip slightly probably suits, and no doubt he’s got the ability.”