Second Group 1 win for talented Stefi
Bjorn Baker’s unbelievable season continued apace as the Ridgmont Farm-raced Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) returned to the top table when she sprang a minor shock in the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick.
Before Saturday, the biggest win on the daughter of All Too Hard’s (Casino Prince) CV was last year’s Stradbroke (Gr 1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm and, while she had been winless since that Group 1 triumph, she put up some good performances in defeat including running fourth in the Champions Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) and a sixth-placed finish in the George Ryder (Gr 1, 1500m) last-start.
However, she returned right back to her best under Jason Collett on Saturday, storming home to defeat Royal Patronage (Wootton Bassett) by 0.2 lengths. Encap (Capitalist) finished a further 0.2 lengths away in third.
In winning the time-honoured Group 1, Stefi Magnetica joins a roll of honour that includes some high-class mares including More Joyous (More Than Ready), Sunline (Desert Sun) and perhaps the greatest of all, Winx (Street Cry).
Baker was enjoying an eighth career Group 1 and he couldn’t hide his emotions in the post-race interview.
“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.
“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.
“Very valuable for Ridgmont, the Cunningham family – she’s [Stefi Magnetica] worth a fortune.”
Like Baker, Collett was also overcome with emotion.
“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.”
Stefi Magnetica (4 m All Too Hard – Mid Summer Music by Oamaru Force) was bought by Mitch Cunningham of Ridgmont, her trainer and Jim Clarke from the draft of her breeders Cressfield at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $140,000, and with $5,832,550 in prize-money earnings she has more repaid her connections original outlay.
The four-year-old is out of Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force), who, like her daughter, was also successful in the Stradbroke Handicap. The four-year-old is the best of Mid Summer Music’s produce, which also features Group 3 winner Hellfest (Fastnet Rock) and stakes-placed winner Euphoric Summer (Not A Single Doubt).
Mid Summer Music foaled a brother to Stefi Magnetica last September and sadly died the following day.
Stefi Magnetica is one of five elite–level winners for Vinery’s ever-consistent stalwart All Too Hard.