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| Staff Writer |
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From the meager beginnings of just two boxes on-course at the super-competitive Warwick Farm in 2011 to conditioning a pair of possible starters for the 2022 edition of The Everest, Bjorn Baker’s meteoric rise as one of the top trainers on the Sydney circuit has made many stand up and take notice.
Baker’s two Everest possibilities include 6YO mare Belucci Babe, and Overpass, a 4YO son of Vancouver owned the Darby syndication.
Belluci Babe took down the March 5 A$160,000 Entire Travel World Wennona Girll Quality Stakes, and ran 3rd in the April 9 Sapphire Stakes, before getting a respite. Since returning, she’s struggled somewhat running 11th in the Aug. 6 Missile Stakes and 7th in the Aug. 20 Laurel Oak Toy. Both August races occurred over Royal Randwick’s sod.
However, Belucci Babe earlier posted a couple of impressive Grade 1 efforts in the Galaxy and TJ. Smith.
“She seems to come through well,” Baker noted. “She was probably a little bit unlucky fourth in the G1 Galaxy over 1,100m. At the TJ Smith, she ran a super fourth. She can handle all types of tracks. I think that's definitely in her favour. We're just gonna get back on track now.”
Meanwhile, Overpass also has tremendous back class, having won the Jan. 29 Group 2 Expressway Stakes in front-running style, stunning favored Anamoe, who ran 3rd and just ahead of Belluci Babe.
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Baker says he’s concerned about the long rain season in 2022, noting Overpass has caught several off-tracks.
“He's probably better on top of the ground,” Baker said, “The weather in the last six months has had a massive impact on a lot of these horses, we've just had torrential rain that seems to have lasted forever.”
To leapfrog from just two horses to a stable that’s 92 athletes strong often require picking the brain of numerous people in the industry. Baker’s actually kept things close to the vest, educating himself within the family.
His father, New Zealand horseman Murray Baker, who recently retired after a good run of luck on the Australian circuit was both guide and mentor.
“(Early on) father probably wasn't as well-respected as he is now, Baker said, “He's had a lot of luck in Australia. He's just recently retired in May and had a remarkable time, (bringing) horses to Australia.”
Baker initially pursued a career in pharmacy, which afforded him exposure to both ends of the business spectrum.
“Sometimes racing can be a bit like that as well,” Baker noted.
Thus, the journey began for Bjorn Baker, albeit with humble beginnings. When his father began shipping horses onto the continent, Bjorn Baker agreed to handle them.
“Initially, I wasn't too interested in terms of working with horses,” he recalled. “I was more interested from a farm point of view in breeding. As time developed, I had to work with the horses and I had to get involved. A lot of my father’s horses when they came to Sydney stayed with me. So, it was great for our relationship. And I was able to learn a lot and worked very, very well for a number of years.”
Indeed. In time, Baker’s resume became littered with multiple Grade 1 and Group 1 winners.
To repeat, he’s doing this in one of the most competitive markets in the world, let alone Down Under.
With the likes of James Cummings (Godolphin), Chris Wallace and Ciaron Maher, to name a few, on the Warwick Farm grounds, the mission is simple among 45 barns. Get good, better, and then exceptional.
And remain there.
“It's definitely a competitive environment every day,” Baker said. “You can't sit down and relax. You've got to be on your game the whole time. There are 45 different trainers here. I think it's safe to say that all 45 train very differently.
“You have to take risks, you have to … get the right horses. And in Sydney, midweek to Saturday, our racing doesn't stop. Week-on-week out racing is probably as tough as it gets anywhere in the world. We get horses from all around the world here. It’s very competitive. You need the right horses to compete, but essentially, it's about what works for you.”
That said, Baker’s stable remains keen and confident while seeking one of the 12 slots in November’s Everest.
“I've got my back against the wall and we’ll try and iron out a lot of any issues we've got,” he said. “I think we'll do that successfully. But at the end of the day, you only get one chance at it. And you've got to make the most of it. And Australia is a great country for that …everyone's in a position where they can have a crack.”