Costa makes most of Baker’s backing
BJORN Baker is not only one of Sydney’s leading trainers but also Michael Costa’s best horse owner.
The Group 1-winning trainer owns 15 per cent of Will’s Bid who won the Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 1 Handicap (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Baker trained the threeyear-old gelding before transferring him to Costa’s Gold Coast stables in April.
Trainers may be more inclined to listen to the advice of an owner if it was Baker but Costa said the high-profile
racing figure was the best supporter he had.
“He is my best owner,” Costa said. “He pays on the day of the invoice and the reason he sent him up in the first place was because he trusts the stable.”
Costa looks after Baker’s top horses over the Queensland winter carnival, including
Champagne Cuddles, who finished third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
“Bjorn and the syndicate thought Will’s Bid would like it a bit better up here on the Gold Coast,” Costa said.
“We got him mid-prep and have given him a couple of runs.”
Will’s Bid, a half-brother to dual hemisphere Group 1 winner Starspangledbanner, has finished second, third and first from three runs for Costa.
The three-year-old Fastnet Rock gelding sat off the pace on a wet track at Aquis Park on Saturday before finishing strongly along the rail.
“It was probably a bit of a disadvantage to be on the inside but we got stuck there and had to go with it,” Costa said.
“He wasn’t 100 per cent comfortable in the conditions but he still go the job done.”
Costa also celebrated a second straight win with Hearts Lifted who helped Costa win his third double in the space of two weeks.
Hearts Lifted won the Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap (1400m) after originally accepting for the Listed Daybreak Lover (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast yesterday.
“We just felt (the Daybreak Lover) was a harder race than it had been in previous years,” Costa said as he prepares to race Hearts Lifted once more in a fortnight before spelling the filly.
“The heavy track up there as well influenced our decision because we feel she is better on a good track. We will be searching for black type in her next preparation.”