Written by Paul Vettise
The appropriately-named Redouble (Redoute’s Choice) completed a fabulous Magic Millions day for Bjorn Baker with victory in the Woodford Reserve Cup.
The Warwick Farm trainer had earlier produced Egyptian Symbol (Stratum) to win the It’s Live! In Queensland Snippets Plate while back in New Zealand his father Murray, with training partner Andrew Forsman, claimed the G1 Levin Classic with Madison County (Pins).
“It doesn’t always work out like that, but it was a great day,” Baker junior said.
Egyptian Symbol has put together an outstanding first-up record with five wins now when produced in a fresh state.
“You live and learn as a trainer and find there's many ways to skin a cat.” – Bjorn Baker.
“You live and learn as a trainer and find there's many ways to skin a cat,” Baker said. “It's taken me a long time, but I finally realised that first-up and fresh is the best way to go with this mare.
“Her last three runs in the spring were on bog tracks and she was looking for better ground. She’s always showed a phenomenal amount of ability and she can run times that few others can.”
In her first appearance since October, Egyptian Symbol was given a patient ride by Jason Collett and she produced a barnstorming finish to collar Fiery Heights (Hidden Dragon) close to home.
“She hasn’t been overly-taxed and she’s got a great pedigree so it was a top result.” - Bjorn Baker.
“She hasn’t been overly-taxed and she’s got a great pedigree so it was a top result,” Baker said.
The 6-year-old is a daughter of the G1 Railway H. winner Our Egyptian Raine (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), who was also successful three times at Group 2 level. She has left six winners, including the Group 1 Hong Kong performer Strathmore (Fastnet Rock).
She is a half-sister to the Egyptian Ra (NZ) (Woodborough {USA}), who won five black type races in Hong Kong and was a multiple Group 1 placegetter.
Egyptian Symbol was initially offered at the 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, but failed to meet her $100,000 reserve and breeder Cressfield has subsequently had no need to look back on that non-event with any disappointment.
She has now won eight races with successes in the G3 Toy Show H. and the G3 Nivision S. on her resume.
“She finished second in the G2 Breeders’ Classic at Warwick Farm last season and we’ll probably target that race again.” – Bjorn Baker.
“She finished second in the G2 Breeders’ Classic at Warwick Farm last season and we’ll probably target that race again,” Baker said.
Egyptian Symbol as a yearling
Redouble produced the grand finale for the stable at the Gold Coast with Baker’s wife Andrea a part-owner of the consistent 5-year-old.
The gelding was a $200,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for Spendthrift and was trained for them by Team Hawkes, placing once from a handful of starts before a change of stable.
“A good friend of mine, Craig Tognolini, bought him as a tried horse,” Baker said. “He’s always genuine.”
Redouble had confirmed his passage to the Gold Coast courtesy of a Benchmark 88 win at Randwick at the end of last month.
“I'm just the lucky benefactor of a very, very good horse.” - Bjorn Baker.
“I'm just the lucky benefactor of a very, very good horse,” Baker said.
Andrea and Bjorn Baker celebrate Redouble's MM win with jockey, Craig Williams
Redouble is a son of Special Mission (NZ) (Towkay), who provided leading Sydney jockey James McDonald with the very first Group 1 win of his career when they combined to land the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders’ S.
Baker was active on the opening three days of the Magic Millions Sale, most notably when he went to $450,000 to secure a daughter of Snitzel out of 2013 Magic Millions Classic winner Real Surreal (Real Saga).
“You buy horses at this carnival so you can come back every year and you’re running for a million dollars,” he said.
