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| Staff Writer |
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Stefi Magnetica is being primed for Australia's second-richest Thoroughbred race after her creditable effort in The Gr.1 Everest at Randwick. Trainer Bjorn Baker is setting his sights on Saturday's US$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill, confident his charge can handle the step up in trip.
The Stradbroke Handicap heroine finished ninth in The US$20 million Gr.1 Everest (1200m), won by Bella Nipotina, but was beaten less than 2.5 lengths in what connections describe as a "messy run".
Previous Golden Eagle champions include the likes of Kolding (2019), who went on to claim the All-Star Mile and George Main Stakes, while I'm Thunderstruck (2021) later secured the Makybe Diva Stakes.
"She's come through great," Baker said. "She still ran a good race in what was probably a messy run in The Everest. It didn't quite work out for her but I'm confident up to 1500 metres she'll be ready to run a race."
The talented mare boasts impressive form at 1400m, including her Gr.1 Stradbroke triumph in Brisbane this June. Her credentials are further enhanced by a placing in the Gr.1 Surround Stakes for three-year-old fillies at Randwick in March.
Retained rider Zac Lloyd, still claiming his apprentice allowance, expressed post-Everest that Stefi Magnetica was yearning for more ground. Baker concurred: "She'll be spot on at 1500 and Zac sticks with her so he's got confidence. We're very happy with her."
The Golden Eagle's history shows five previous runners have attempted the Everest-Eagle double since its 2019 inception. Sunlight came closest, finishing runner-up to Kolding after placing tenth in The Everest. Baker's previous contender Overpass finished ninth in 2022 following a sixth in The Everest.
Baker's yard is in flying form, having landed a feature race double at Randwick on Saturday with Belclare taking the US$2 million The Invitation and Iknowastar claiming the US$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude.