Slot race success is nothing new to Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker, and the expat Kiwi is excited to return to his homeland next month to contest the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie with his in-form filly Perfumist.
A number of slot holders were keen to secure the filly’s services for the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, but it was RACE INC who came out on top.
“There are only five or six of us (slot holders) left now (to make our selection) and she is right at the top of the market,” RACE Inc General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor said.
“It was a strong deal that we put together and I am glad that it has come off.
“It is exciting for the Club. She is going to be a great chance in the race, she is in great form, and Bjorn is flying as well. We are really pleased to do a deal with him.
“Bjorn is confident that she is going really well and our rating analyst thinks she is a really good chance in the race, so fingers-crossed she can bring that form across the Tasman.”
The three-year-old daughter of El Roca has been in a purple patch of form in Sydney, carrying OTI Racing’s silks to four successive victories over summer.
New Zealand has been a great source of racing talent for OTI Racing, and Taylor is looking forward to partnering with the Australian-based syndicator.
“Terry (Henderson, OTI Racing principal) buys a lot of horses in New Zealand, and he is excited to partner with the club,” Taylor said.
Bred by Westbury Stud principal Gerry Harvey, Perfumist was offered through the farm’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft where she was bought for $190,000 by the combination of Bjorn Baker Racing, bloodstock agents Phill Cataldo and Jim Clarke, and OTI Racing.
She has gone on to win five and place in two of her nine starts to date, earning nearly A$240,000 in prizemoney, and she will be looking to extend that record at Randwick later today when she tackles the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m).
Baker has been pleased with her progress since her last start victory and is confident of another winning result.
“Her work has been really good so I am pretty confident that she can go five in a row,” he said.
“If that is the case, we will head over with a bit of confidence. She is definitely a progressive filly, she has come a long way this preparation.
“She is set to fly over on Sunday-week and we will probably stay in Cambridge at this stage.”
Baker is no stranger to slot races, having been victorious in both editions of the A$5 million The Quokka (1200m), at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, with Overpass, and he has competed in the coveted A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick.
“I have had a little bit of experience with them, particularly with the Quokka, which has been very good to me in Perth,” Baker said.
“I have had a few runners in The Everest without being competitive. It is great to be involved (in the NZB Kiwi) and I am hoping we can go well.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk