Prolific Baker hoping for impressive Debut

IF EVER there was a race made for popular trainer Bjorn Baker, it is the new Magic Millions The Debut on Saturday.

The $500,000 concept requires horses to be a metropolitan trial winner to be put in the ballot for the race, something Baker has no problem with.

A prolific trial winner, the Sydney trainer is renowned for firing his horses up in barrier trials in an attempt to best get them battle ready. It has resulted in Baker landing a twopronged team in the race, with Desperately ($18) and Stefi Magnetica ($15) making the trek to the Gold Coast.

“Every trainer is different, but I have always been an advocate for trying to replicate race tempo and pressure in trials,” Baker said.

“We have had some success with it, it doesn’t always work out and in Sydney racing you are not always sure about the others in the trial. If they can win a trial, they obviously have to have some ability.”

Both fillies managed to win two trials to enter the ballot for the race.

With leading chance Steel City still parked on the sidelines as an emergency, Baker has the services of jockey James McDonald aboard Desperately and Rachel King on Stefi Magnetica. “I don’t think there is too much between them and they have both drawn well,” Baker said.

Meanwhile, two Magic Millions 2YO Classic horses will need to be re-inspected by vets in order to gain a start in the $2m feature.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission vets confirmed Sunsource ($31) and Mishani Renegade ($51) were not passed during their first inspection on Wednesday.

Sunsource was found to be stepping short in both forelegs, while Mishani Renegade is lame in the off foreleg.

Final inspections will take place on Friday morning.