Stefi Magnetica has risen to the occasion once again in a Group 1 contest, this time at Randwick on the opening day of The Championships, to claim the Group 1 Doncaster Mile for Bjorn Baker and Jason Collett.
The daughter of All Too Hard hadn’t won since her victory in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap last winter, which saw her go around as a +1800 roughie with horse racing bookmakers.
Rise At Dawn (+2500) mustered early to find the front ahead of Pericles (+6000), Gringotts (+650) and Just Folk (+8000), while the eventual winner gained cover and travelled sweetly behind the leaders in fifth position.
After being trapped three-wide during the early stages of the race, Royal Patronage (+1300) pushed forward to join the leading duo, and Another Wil (+750) got onto his back to gain some cover.
Royal Patronage gained a narrow lead in passing the 250m mark, going past Pericles and Rise At Dawn, which allowed Stefi Magnetica to peel off their backs to make her run.
Collett pushed the mare through a gap between the tiring Another Wil and Royal Patronage to let down with her finish.
Encap (+5000) took a run in between horses back on the inside, but it was Stefi Magnetica who put in a big lunge in the final stride to nab Royal Patronage on the post, ahead of the fast-finishing Encap.
Bjorn Baker was very emotional following the win.
“I must say it’s a massive, massive thrill,” Baker said.
“I’ve got my biggest clients in this horse. I’ve got a great team. From vets, everyone, Cressfield, who we bought her off, Jason Collett, I think he’s ridden more winners for me in Australia than anyone.
“It’s very, very special.
“I needed to win a big race at The Championships and my team did. We’re mindful of that. We’ve had a great year, great two to three years, we’ve been zero here but we’re back.
“It’s one of the iconic races and so special to be here with such a great bunch of owners. Jason Collett, he’s a bit like me, we needed a big one during The Championships.
“It’s very special. I’ve got a great team.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world. Unfortunately (wife) Andrea, she was here earlier, but she had to go and look after our team at home. Just so special today.”
Jason Collett was just as emotional in his post-race interview.
“I’m kind of shocked, to be honest. I was in front at the line and was like, ‘holy hell, sh** I’ve just won,” Collett said.
“I don’t know, I was just trying to get her comfortable. Most of that race they went a very slow tempo, but I was in the right spot, and her turn of foot was electric.
“She looks awful in the yard, we’ve got to be frank here.
“She did come on a lot from that last start performance and I liked her gallop better on the Tuesday.
“I didn’t bolt as quick, it was a bit more of a sustained bolt, but she’s unbelievable.
“It is. Bjorn just said, ‘get to the fence, but not like you did in the Slipper’. Sorry, I’m just a bit taken aback.”
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