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| Sumita Pawar |
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Trainer Bjorn Baker's description of his stable's performance this season as "very hit and miss," statistics reveal that it has been his most successful one to date.
Last Saturday, Baker achieved a personal milestone with five victorious horses at Randwick, propelling him into the top five of the Sydney trainer premiership rankings. His success extended to major races, with Arapaho triumphing in the Gr. 1 Tancred Stakes and Overpass clinching the inaugural The Quokka. Notably, his stable earnings for the season have soared past $10m, marking a significant milestone.
Battling For Victory In A Stacked Field
"It's been a funny year," Baker said. "I've won a couple of big races but it has been very hit and miss.
"I've struggled to get (winning) doubles in the city because Sydney racing is so competitive and it is getting more competitive.
"At Warwick Farm, we have Ciaron Maher there now, we have Annabel Neasham, James Cummings, Matthew Smith, Gary Portelli, David Pfieffer, Joe Pride, the list goes on and on.
"It's a wake-up call every day and you have to roll up and try to match them.''
Dominant Baker Outshines Competition
Baker didn't settle for mere parity with his competitors, he left them in the dust by masterminding the victories of five champions at Royal Randwick last Saturday, including the magnificent trio of Ozzmosis, Iowna Merc, and Passeggiata, as well as the formidable mares Ita and Lady Of Luxury.
The trainer revealed he has never had four city winners on the one program, let alone five. "I think I've had five winners at Orange once,'' he said.
Ozzmosis maintained his unbeaten record to win the juvenile opener but Baker revealed he is likely to send the colt for a spell.
"I think the Golden Rose will come around too soon for Ozzmosis, we will look at the back end of the spring carnival with him,'' Baker said.
Iowna Merc and Passeggiata soar to victory, boasting impressive records of four wins in seven starts and three wins in four starts respectively. These talented horses are expected to continue racing throughout the winter. As for Overpass, after his triumph in The Quokka and a close second to Giga Kick in the Doomben 10,000, he heads back to pre-training for The Everest under the careful guidance of Baker.