Baker aiming to soar in 2025 The Golden Eagle
Bjorn Baker will be looking to extend his successful run of form when he lines up Mayfair — and possibly Perfumist — in next weekend’s lucrative $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick. The Warwick Farm trainer heads into the race full of confidence after celebrating a major win in The Invitation with his Group 1 mare Stefi Magnetica.
Baker’s spring hadn’t been short on effort or quality performances. Overpass fought hard for fourth in The Everest, while Pericles came close to a top-three finish in the King Charles III Stakes. Iowna Merc ran well in the Sydney Stakes, and both Mayfair and Perfumist showed promise in the Silver Eagle and Angst Stakes respectively.
That run of near-misses finally ended when Stefi Magnetica powered home to defeat Gerringong in Saturday’s $2 million The Invitation — a result that could spark a huge finish to Baker’s carnival.
Mayfair, a former Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott runner, impressed when finishing third in the Silver Eagle at his first start for Baker, earning $96,000 for connections. “He was a very astute online purchase by Darby Racing, I think around the $200,000 mark,” Baker said. “He’s already guaranteed a spot in the field and Dylan Gibbons will ride.”
Perfumist remains on the edge of qualification but Baker remains hopeful. “She’s ready to go and hopefully a few above us on the order drop out of the running,” he said. “There are a few others ahead of us that ran yesterday and maybe they won’t back up. Rachel King will ride if she gets a run.”
Currently, both horses are marked at $26 in pre-race betting for the 1500m feature event.
If you’re looking to back a runner in the Golden Eagle, explore Australia’s top online bookmakers to find the best odds, betting promotions, and trusted platforms for race-day punting.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...