Baker wins first group 1 with Music Magnate in the Doomben 10,000
THE fairy tale season of Bjorn Baker continued on Saturday when the Kiwi trainer picked up his first Australian group 1 win as a solo trainer.
Four-year-old gelding Music Magnate sat off a torrid speed in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and finished over the top of runners to score Baker’s biggest win of his career.
With Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, who notched his second Doomben 10,000 win, Music Magnate was able to find a good position in behind leaders Hooked, Two Blue and race-favourite Fell Swoop which all went far too hard in front and it was set up for a back marker.
Azkadellia came with Music Magnate, but the $12 chance at Sportsbet proved too strong in the run to the line – finishing the 1350m in 1:17.77 and Baker was his jovial self post-race.
“I probably won’t be making the couch tomorrow [referring to Thoroughbred Weekly],” Baker joked. “Might have had a few too many.”
Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for Baker who has scored numerous group 1’s when in partnership with his father Murray, but celebrated his first solo group 1 win with Music Magnate.
“It’s super. I guess Queensland has been very kind to me.
“It’s been a great season. I had a couple of good seasons with Murray, the only difference is the money.”
The son of Written Tycoon is continuing the great run by the sire and patience has been the key to its success.
“He’s had one or two issues, he’s taken time. As a two-year-old he didn’t show too much,” Baker added.
The 2016 Stradbroke Handicap is now well within its sights considering it wasn’t suited by the weight-for-age conditions of the Doomben 10,000.
“We might have a look at it – what’s it worth?,” Baker questioned. “We decided to miss most of the Autumn. I thought he was well set up for this.”
Kerrin McEvoy was elated with the win, which was set up by the fast tempo in front. Horses had been winning from in front all day at Doomben, but they cut each others throats in front and couldn’t sustain the effort.
“It unfolded completely different than I thought it would,” McEvoy said. “I got a pretty bad check after the start, tucked into a nice position.
“They went really fast, he was able to build into himself and he was strong late. We were able to get a drop on them.”
Music Magnate was well-supported at $6 throughout the week, but drifted to double that price at Sportsbet come start time. McEvoy pays credit to both the horse and trainer for the job they did to get this horse right.
“Fair play to my horse, Bjorn said he has come on from Scone, he just had him cherry ripe,” McEvoy said.
“Great for Bjorn to win here. He could be an interesting horse around the bigger track of Eagle Farm.”
The Stradbroke market will be updated later on Saturday night and punters should expect both Music Magnate and Azkadellia to firm in.