Bjorn Baker splits stars as Pericles targets Sydney and Stefi Magnetica heads to All-Star Mile

Bjorn Baker will swap his star milers with Futurity winner Pericles to head back to Sydney, while Stradbroke and Doncaster winner Stefi Magnetica will head to next week’s All-Star Mile at Flemington.

Baker will have a strong team at Flemington with Callabus to run in the Newmarket and Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman will ride him and Stefi Magnetica.

It will be a boom for the VRC as the meeting is on World Pool.

“To get Hughie to come back and ride in these races is fantastic,” Baker said. “He had plenty for my old man [Murray] and me in Sydney and I still remember him winning the VRC Derby on Loin Tamer for us.

“We were having trouble get jockeys to confirm, but now we have one of the best in the world.”

Bowman has already been for three further rides on the Super Saturday card.

It means Stefi Magnetica will miss the Verry Elleegant Stakes on Saturday and she is now a $7 chance in the All-Star Mile.

“You have to take on Autumn Glow if you stay here, and I think she is better chance down in Melbourne,” Baker said. “The extra week opens a couple of options for us with her later in the autumn.

“We decided to give Pericles an extra couple of weeks after he won his Group 1 on the weekend.

“I know he will meet Autumn Glow in the George Ryder, but his form is first class.

“I think he is better with his runs spaced.”

Baker will also have Disneck in the Newmarket at Flemington on March 7.