Unbeaten Baker filly ready to go Boom in the Light Fingers Stakes
Twelve months after Stefi Magnetica showcased her potential with an impressive fourth-place finish in the Light Fingers Stakes, trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to unveil another rising star in the same event.
Dance To The Boom is set to make her debut at Group level in Saturday’s edition of the fillies’ feature at Randwick, aiming to continue her flawless three-race winning streak.
Following victories at Kembla Grange in August and Canterbury in December, the talented three-year-old secured a breakthrough win in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) over summer. That triumph earned her a place in the early Sydney carnival races.
Now, Baker is eager to see how she handles the jump in class in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), with an eye on stepping her up further.
Stefi Magnetica used the Light Fingers as a launching pad last year before finishing a close second to Tropical Squall in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m), a race Baker is targeting with Dance To The Boom.
“We’d love to get her up to 1400 metres for the Surround. If she can run a decent race on Saturday, we will go to the Surround with a touch of confidence,” Baker said.
“Stefi Magnetica ran a close second in the Surround last year so I’d love to take Dance To The Boom there.
“I think she’s a very good filly and perhaps still a little bit under-rated.
“She has got to overcome an awkward gate in 15 of 15, so we’ll leave it up to Kerrin McEvoy. He rode her in her trial and got a bit of a feel for her. He was impressed with her that day.”
Baker will also have two runners in the Triscay Stakes (1200m) for mares, with both the speedy Bonita Queen and the ever-consistent Spring Lee lining up.
Bonita Queen, known for her front-running style, will benefit from a significant weight drop after carrying 61.5kg when finishing third behind Cosmanova in her most recent start. Meanwhile, Baker believes Spring Lee will be much fitter after two runs this preparation.
“I think Bonita Queen will be in front for a long way. She is rock-hard fit, she’s third-up, she drops eight-and-a-half kilos and is in with no weight, so we will definitely be positive with her,” he said.
“There’s not too much between Bonita Queen and Spring Lee and a Group Three race would be very important on both their resumes.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...