Trainer Bjorn Baker is confident Stefi Magnetica has done all she can to continue her stunning trajectory in striving to go from AU$140,000 yearling to AU$20 million race winner in a females-heavy The Everest (G1) Oct. 19 at Randwick Racecourse.
The lucrative weight-for-age, 1,200-meter race has drawn perhaps its strongest and most open field since its 2017 inception—a 12-horse contingent for its first edition as a group 1 with, fittingly, its largest-yet number of six females.
But the day is set to still be tinged by controversy, owing to Australia’s rumbling black type debacle.
Three other races on the card, among 12 in New South Wales in total, have been listed as upgraded by Racing NSW in machinations at Racing Australia.
The Asian Pattern Committee has approved group 1 status for The Everest and Victoria’s All Star Mile (G1). ANZ Bloodstock News understands it has also approved top-tier grading for the $10 million Golden Eagle, to be held at Rosehill Nov. 2.
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However, ANZ also understands the APC has taken exception to the upgrades of the other 12 NSW races.
The Southern Hemisphere’s largest pedigree provider, Arion, said Oct. 18 it would not be recognizing black type for these 12, including the three Saturday, unless advised otherwise by international authorities.
“We will be handling them as per the International Cataloging Standards list of Australian black type for 2024-25,” Arion managing director Kyla Johnston told ANZ.
What has emerged during the past two weeks of the black type shambles is that much confusion exists in the wider Thoroughbred community over the correct process to be followed for black type approvals.
It does appear clear, however, that all Australian black type upgrades must—eventually—be ratified by the APC, the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers, and the powerful International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee.
While consternation over the NSW dozen remains, The Everest will be run as an undisputed group 1, with that required approval from the APC having arrived Oct. 16.
And while some mare owners have preferred in past years to bypass The Everest to chase black type, perhaps thanks to whispers of the race’s imminent group 1 status it has this year attracted its largest yet contingent of females out to add value to their page.
Stefi Magnetica Improving at the Right Time
Five mares will line up in $7 second-favorite Joliestar, Bella Nipotina, I Am Me, Sunshine In Paris and Stefi Magnetica, a $13 shot. There’s also one filly in Golden Slipper (G1) winner Lady Of Camelot.
Three colts will also strive to boost their stud value in $12 shot Growing Empire, $8.40 chance Traffic Warden, and Storm Boy, at around $10.30.
With 10 of the 12 runners at odds $16 or shorter, I Wish I Win headed markets Friday at around $5.30. Two other geldings round out the field in 2022 winner Giga Kick, a $16 chance, and Private Eye at $25.
New Zealand-bred I Wish I Win wins the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm
The Everest has averaged only 2.4 females through its seven runnings, peaking with four in its first edition of 2017 and in 2019. No female has finished better than fifth, but Baker is hopeful the surging Stefi Magnetica can redress that history.
The 4-year-old has been on a remarkable run through 2024. After running third in a Rosehill Benchmark 72 as recently as February, she’s since finished no worse than fourth in six stakes races, and has become a group 1 winner, emulating her dam Mid Summer Music with a barnstorming victory in June’s Stradbroke Handicap (G1) at Eagle Farm.
She comes in bursting to run after a four-week gap since her eye-catching first-up run in the Shorts (G2), when she flew home after working clear late for a head second to I Am Me.
“She’s really done a remarkable job this year,” Baker told ANZ Bloodstock News. “She did run in a stakes race as a 2-year-old and ran a good sixth in what was a pretty strong race.
“So I was only hopeful she’d get back to black type and maybe pick off a few softer options. I didn’t envisage her winning the Stradbroke and doing what she’s done, so she’s been a revelation from that point of view.
“And I guess we don’t quite know where the upward trajectory will stop. I still think she’s yet to reach her ceiling, and from that point of view she’s very exciting. Hopefully she can really cement herself as a topline sprinter and be around for a while, especially in races like these.”
Baker said Stefi Magnetica’s first-up second was “outstanding”.
Waterhouse Confident In Storm Boy
From the colts’ brigade, Gai Waterhouse has warned punters not to overlook Storm Boy, despite Coolmore’s multimillion-dollar future stallion disappointing when caught late in his past two runs—a three-quarter-length third in the Run To The Rose (G2), and a half-length fourth in the Golden Rose (G1).
“He’s doing very well, he’s a champion colt, and he’ll be hard to beat,” Waterhouse told ANZ, indicating the Justify colt’s best trip was The Everest distance. “I always thought he’d stay further, but we know he can be very decisive and effective over 1,200.
“People are quick to write off horses, but I thought his last run was acceptable. The Everest is going to be a different type of race, he’s on his home track, and there’s a lot of pluses.”
I Wish I Win’s co-trainer Katherine Coleman reported the 6-year-old was in peak order following his fast-finishing second-up third in Moonee Valley’s Manikato Stakes (G1). With barrier 9, Coleman said the gelding should at least have better luck than in his narrow second in last year’s edition, when blocked in the straight from gate 1.
“He’s super. We couldn’t be happier with him. He travelled up on Wednesday night and arrived in good order,” said Coleman.
“We were thrilled with the Manikato. We knew it was going to map ugly for him, he was going to be out the back and would have to do the most work. The way he hit the line was really encouraging as a prep run for tomorrow. We don’t want to be trapped wide, but at least barrier nine gives us the chance to hopefully not be dictated to by other jockeys like we were last year from barrier one.”
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