Baker hopes change in luck gives Golden Eagle contender a sniff

6 hours ago 3

By Craig Kerry

October 30, 2025 — 6.00pm

Bjorn Baker is under no illusions about the task ahead of Perfumist in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, but he hopes a draw in gate one will at least take luck out of the equation.

And all things being equal, the Warwick Farm trainer is due a change in fortune in the headline race for four-year-olds.

Perfumist wins in impressive style at Randwick on October 4.

In a horror watch for Baker last year, star mare Stefi Magnetica looked destined for victory when surging towards a gap under Zac Lloyd at the 100m mark, only for it to close and almost cause them to fall at the 50m.

She ended up fifth as international raiders Lake Forest and Lazzat finished one-two, with both of their jockeys copping huge suspensions and fines for careless riding.

Baker has no doubt Stefi Magnetica, which more than eased the pain of that defeat with victories in the $5 million Doncaster Mile and $2 million Invitation, “would have won”.

Asked if he was due good luck in the Golden Eagle, he said: “Well, we got luck in the Stradbroke [before that], so maybe that was karma.

“But you’ve got to look forward, not back, and that’s racing. You can’t get the perfect run all the time. Fingers crossed, it’s a tough race and hopefully Perfumist can run up to her best.”

Perfumist, a go-forward mare, looks likely to make her own luck up on speed, especially after drawing the rails barrier. Rachel King has the ride on the $16 (TAB) chance, which raced through the grades last preparation with four consecutive wins.

She failed to fire in her first two runs back, but has been excellent since, finishing a close fourth before running quick time to win at Randwick over the mile in benchmark 94 grade. She was best of the rest behind Idle Flyer last start in the group 3 Angst Stakes over the same trip.

Baker, who also has $61 shot Mayfair in the race from gate 14, believed Perfumist was “some hope” in a class field led by unbeaten star Autumn Glow ($2.15).

“She got beaten by a good one last start and once she hits form, she tends to hold it,” Baker said.

“Obviously, it’s a super tough race, but she’s had two runs at the mile, she’s been very, very good and she’s back slightly in trip, so she can be strong.

“She’s got tactical speed, whether we lead or sit in behind. Look, she’s some hope. Obviously, we’re under no illusion it’s an international race, but she’s fit and well.

“The draw definitely helps, with a big field, it’s still the quickest way home, without knowing how the track is going to play. It’s definitely a race where you want to draw well.

“You get to run for $10 million once a year in terms of where she’s at, so you have to give it a shot. She goes in as some hope and I guess Mayfair is not a bad back-up, too.”

Mayfair was a well-performed three-year-old, finishing third in the Golden Rose, before losing form and being sold. New owners Darby Racing, who paid $310,000, then sent him to Baker.

He was third on debut for Baker in the Silver Eagle, where it was a blanket finish for the minors behind Linebacker.

“He was very good in the Silver Eagle but he has drawn badly, which definitely dents our confidence,” Baker said.

“But I think up to the 1500 with the blinkers on, he’ll be better suited.”

Baker has Iowna Merc ($34), runner-up last start in the $2 million Everest consolation, in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m). He said a draw in 14 has hurt his chances.

“He was very good last start and hopefully he can run well third up,” he said.

“He was very good going a touch further last time in, too.”

Pride backs veteran to lead the way again for in-form stable

Joe Pride expects Private Eye to lead a four-way charge in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) as his stable aims for a fifth successive week of stakes racing success in Sydney.

The Warwick Farm trainer has Private Eye ($9 TAB), Golden Mile ($51), Mazu ($23) and Coal Crusher ($51) in the main support race to the Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The sprint features six runners from the $20 million Everest two weeks ago, including Mazu, which led that race before finishing ninth, three and a half lengths off winner Ka Ying Rising.

Pride, though, was looking to eight-year-old Private Eye, which won the corresponding race in 2022 and was second in 2023, to feature in the finish again. The winner of $12.6 million, having his 47th start, won the group 3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield last time out.

He has drawn 11, which will be nine with emergencies out, and Pride expected jockey Nash Rawiller to have him in the mix.

“He’s my best, no doubt about that,” Pride said.

“He’ll get that run just off the speed, and he’ll be hard to beat.

“He likes a bit of galloping room, so that draw is all right for him. He’ll come in a couple with the emergencies out, so it’s probably about ideal.”

He hoped predicted showers arrive Friday and Saturday to help Mazu’s hopes. The front-running seven-year-old, likely to jump from seven, has won five from nine on heavy going. Randwick was a soft 6 on Thursday.

Eight-year-old Coal Crusher was a game sixth last start in the Everest consolation, the Sydney Stakes, finishing just over a length away after leading. He has the outside draw to contend with this time.

“He’s a fast horse, he’s probably always going to get to the first two or three there, so he’s just going to take a little bit longer to get there,” Pride said.

“He always runs competitive in this race. He didn’t last year because he got taken on in front. But the year before, the year he won the Hunter, he got beaten a length and a half by Bella Nipotina, Private Eye and Think About It, so he’s a capable horse.”

Six-year-old Golden Mile finished four lengths off the winner when first-up in the Sydney Stakes. Pride hoped for a sharp improvement to add to his successful recent run with racing powerhouse Godolphin. The combination won the Dulcify Stakes and group 1 Spring Champion Stakes with Attica, had two city Saturday victories with Kerguelen and a midweek double with Taxation.

“He didn’t do that much first up, but I know he normally takes a run or two, so he’s got that under his belt now,” he said of Golden Mile.

Attica’s double and wins from Ceolwulf (King Charles III) and Headley Grange (Alan Brown) have made up Pride’s Sydney stakes streak.

Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar, third in the Everest, was a $2.70 favourite for the Russell Balding.