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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Bjorn Baker plans to run Group 1 winning mare Stefi Magnetica on TAB Everest Day second-up but what race she contests on that day could be defined by her performance at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

While the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 2 is firmly in Baker’s sights he would be more than happy to take a slot in the $20 million sprint as her major lead up if she proves worthy in the Group 2 $1 million Yarraman Park Shorts (1100m).

Just like with stablemate Overpass, who is set to race on Everest Day in either the feature or the $2m Sydney Stakes, Baker has an open mind with what race the four-year-old appears in on that day.

“We’ve either got the Silver Eagle or the Everest,’’ Baker said.

“With a month between runs we’ll be able to look after her and give her a trial in between.

“There looks to be plenty of speed on Saturday, and I’d love a rematch with Bella Nipotina.”

Of course Stefi Magnetica hasn’t raced since beating Bella Nipotina in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in June, and the Ciaron Maher trained mare became the third horse locked into an Everest slot when TAB secured her this week.

Baker said he’s thrilled with how his mare has come up this spring, evidenced by her eye-catching recent trial where she was narrowly beaten by Mazu with reigning Everest champ Think About It in third.

“I thought she went really well, she was within her comfort zone and I’m comfortable she had a fair bit left,’’ he said.

“Zac (Lloyd) was thrilled with her, he’s been riding in a bit of work and he’s been happy as Larry with her.

“It’s always tricky in terms of where we you do go but I’m happy with her, she looks fantastic and hopefully has a bit of residual fitness.”

Stefi Magnetica, a winner of three from 13, drew barrier eight in the Shorts and Baker said it appears she will get her chance to hit the line.

She opened $12 with TAB behind Concorde winner I Am Me ($4), she’s a $15 chance in the Golden Eagle all-in market.

“It’s definitely a competitive race but she’s in really good order,’’ he said.

“She’s won a Stradbroke and her form prior to that was good. It’s a big ask but I’m confident she’s up to it.

“She’s a racehorse that always puts her best hoof forward so I think she will be in the finish.”

As for Overpass, who was an easy trial winner at Rosehill on Monday, he’s set to have a second trial on October 4 and Baker hasn’t given up on gaining another shot at the Everest given the ever changing fortunes of contenders for the race.

The six-year-old ran sixth in the 2022 edition and tenth last year, and since that race he’s won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes and his second Quokka in Perth.

“He was probably unlikely to get a spot, now he’s definitely a hope but whatever race we get in we’ll be happy,’’ he said.

Stayer Alegron kicks off his spring in the Group 3 $250,000 James Squire Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) with Baker keeping expectations low at this point.

Stefi Magnetica runs second in a Randwick trial on September 9

The Brisbane Cup winner only had a short time off after running second in the Caloundra Cup on July 14.

“He had a great winter, Saturday is about getting him underway,’’ he said.

“We’ll put him in his comfort zone, let him find his feet, and if he hits the line at all we’ll be happy with him.

“He’s going to take a run or two to get back to his best but he did work very well on Tuesday morning.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting