The Golden Eagle next for Stefi Magnetica
Stefi Magnetica wasn’t able to win this year’s The Everest but trainer Bjorn Baker has now turned attention to trying to win Australia’s second richest thoroughbred race with the talented mare.
Baker is planning to run Stefi Magnetica in Saturday’s $10 million Golden Eagle for four-year-olds at Rosehill, confident this year’s Stradbroke Handicap winner is ready to step up to 1500m after finishing unplaced in the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19 in the second start of her spring campaign.
Stefi Magnetica finished ninth of 11 runners in The Everest, won by Bella Nipotina, but was beaten by less than 2.5 lengths and Baker is happy to give the mare her chance in the Golden Eagle against her own age.
“She’s come through great,” Baker said.
“She’s in good order.
“She still ran a good race in what was probably a messy run 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.”
While Stefi Magnetica is yet to race beyond 1400m in her 15 starts to date, the mare has been effective at 1400m with a Group 1 win in the Stradbroke in Brisbane in June.
She also has another Group 1 placing in the Surround Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400m at Randwick in March.
Star apprentice Zac Lloyd, who retains the ride in the Golden Eagle, commented after The Everest that Stefi Magnetica was probably looking for further than the 1200m now at this stage of her campaign.
“She’ll be spot on at 1500 and Zac sticks with her so he’s got confidence,” Baker said.
“We’re very happy with her.”
Stefi Magnetica is at $13 in a Golden Eagle all-in market with Japanese visitor Ascoli Piceno the $3.50 favourite.
The Golden Eagle was first run in 2019 and so far five horses have run in the race after contesting an Everest at their previous start.
Sunlight came closest to winning in 2019 when she finished a close second to Kolding after finishing 10th in The Everest.
Baker had Overpass finish ninth in 2022 after he was sixth in The Everest two weeks earlier.
Baker prepared a feature race double at Randwick on Saturday with Belclare taking out the $2 million The Invitation and Iknowastar winning in the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude.
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