Magic Millions has been a happy hunting ground for Bjorn Baker but is resigned to having a small team on the Gold Coast in January, hopefully led by Golden Gift runner-up Infatuation.
The I Am Invincible filly is the most experienced and highest earner going into the two-year race at Randwick on Saturday, but Baker still wants to see her prove she is up to going to the Magic Millions.
Infatuation on the inside is just run down by Barber in the Golden Gift at Rosehill last month.Credit:Getty
“You are always looking for that horse to take you to Magic Millions day and this year, unfortunately, I don’t have as much as I would want,” Baker said. “They are not easy races to win and you have to take the right horse up there.
“Infatuation has run some good races without winning so far, and it would be ideal if get that first win came on Saturday, so we can go up there with some confidence.
“She needs to run well to go up, and I think she will.”
Infatuation is a $3.50 favourite for the Randwick opener, which will be a chance for up to a half-dozen of the field to earn a place in the Magic Millions Classic field.
It is Infatuation they will have to beat.
After an even effort on debut in the Kirkham Stakes where Infatuation finished midfield, she held off all but Barber in the Golden Gift after finding the front at 300m and being left the sitting shot for the swooper.
Infatuation then went to the Wyong Magic Millions where she followed the leader to the turn and didn’t get a lot of room in the straight as she tried to take runs on the fence.
“She is not that big but she has a motor and, from the draw, she should be able to get the right run to be produced at the right time in the straight,” Baker said. “She has only really got a clear run in the Golden Gift and nearly won it.
“She has got better every time she has gone to the races, and that should continue on Saturday.”
Baker continues to be a top-3 trainer in Sydney and has had 105 winners in 2022, with 98 of them coming in NSW. He will have six runners at Randwick on Saturday as he looks for the two winners to bring up his hundred.
It’s a sign of his approach to placing his horses in the right grade that he pointed to Friday at Orange as well.
“We have a few good chances going to Orange, which might give us the chance to get the 100 in NSW,” Baker said.
“It is always a good number to bring up, and I think O’tycoon and Rupertaar are each-way chances on a tough day at Randwick.”
