Munster proud of the Maroons' resilience
State of Origin: Queensland Maroons' Cam Munster speaks to Dane Lillingstone after being named man of the match in his first Origin game as captain.
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News.com.au
15 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘You dream about getting to 100 wins': Trainer Bjorn Baker eyes historic milestone
The remarkable rise and rise of Bjorn Baker has the trainer closing in on a historic century of Sydney wins this season. With 12 city meetings remaining this season, Baker is on 83 wins and trails only Chris Waller with 130 wins in the Sydney trainers premierships. 'You dream about getting to 100 wins, it would be fantastic,'' Baker said. 'It is not completely out of the question although I'm probably going to struggle to get there but I will be doing my best.'' There has only been five occasions in Sydney racing history when two trainers have passed 100 city wins in the same season and that was during the era when John Hawkes and Gai Waterhouse were the dominant stables two decades ago. The two Hall of Fame trainers swapped Sydney premiership wins over a 16-year period and their rivalry, albeit friendly, pushed them to new heights. In 2002-03, they both broke the 150-win barrier with Waterhouse training 156 wins to claim the title from Hawkes on 150.5 wins. The two trainers first managed the feat in 1999-2000 when Hawkes, with 112 wins, took out the premiership from Waterhouse on 101 wins. Hawkes then won titles from Waterhouse in 2003-04 (113 wins to 103) and 2005-06 (133-104) while Waterhouse reversed the order in 2001-02 (137-115). • Ciaron Maher given keys to Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick Waller is about to claim his 15th consecutive Sydney premiership and his dominance doesn't look like ending any season soon even with Ciaron Maher 's increasing stable numbers and Baker's sudden emergence. It was only six years ago when Baker trained 23 city winners for the 2018-19 season and was just outside the Sydney top 10 rankings. But Baker has climbed into the top five Sydney trainers every year since with 2024-25 his career- best season by some margin over his previous best return of 56 city wins in 2019-20. By all the metrics, Baker has had a breakout season. He's trained the winners of 147 races on all tracks this season, easily eclipsing his previous best of 128 wins set in 2019-20. He's prepared a stable-best 23 stakes winners – including three at Group 1 level – and his starters have already earned nearly $25 million prizemoney and counting, almost doubling the $14.8 million his horses won last season. The Warwick Farm -based trainer's focus now is to 'raise the bat' for a century of city wins before the season ends with the final metropolitan meeting scheduled for his home track on July 30. "Massive thrill, so many of my great friends in this horse." Bjorn Baker with a second Group 1 across the Championships! @BBakerRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) April 12, 2025 Some of the batsmen in the Australian cricket team which lost the World Test Championship Final to South Africa at Lord's last weekend would like to boast Baker's numbers. The trainer is readying 11 starters across seven races at Royal Randwick on Saturday including topweight Iknowastar and promising young sprinter Raikkonen in the Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m). 'I'm trying to get to that figure (100 wins),'' Baker said. 'I'm even looking at having Point And Shoot and Perfumist ready to start racing again next month.'' Point And Shoot reeled off three wins in Sydney over summer while during the same period, Perfumist won at Mudgee before recording a city hat-trick of her own. Perfumist makes it 3 in-a-row with a great ride from @Costin_Winona! ðŸ'Œ @BBakerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025 Baker said even if he doesn't quite get to the century of city wins, he 'couldn't be happier' with his stable's results this season. 'In the last five of six years, I have been in the top five each season and come third a couple of times, so to finish second will be a great achievement,'' he said. 'The prizemoney our horses have won this year was also a big kick along.'' Baker said his stable's stunning season has been the combination of a number of factors. 'I've got a great team around me, great facilities and track riders, and I think Luke (Hilton, racing manager) and myself have got better when it comes to the placement of our horses,'' he said. 'We are trying to put them in races where they are competitive, and we are know a lot more about our horses and their racing patterns. 'Luke and I have spent a lot of time on recognising how best to have our horses ridden, where they are in their preparation and their fitness levels. All the little things add up to improved results.'' In a season stacked with success, selecting the highlight might seem difficult but Baker didn't hesitate when the question was asked. 'Definitely winning the Doncaster Mile with Stefi Magnetica,'' Baker said. The filly Stefi Magnetica wins an epic G1 Stradbroke - and it’s @ZacLloydx with his first Group 1 winner! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub @BBakerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024 'I hadn't done well at The Championshps over the years so to win one of Sydney's great races was very special. 'Then to back it up a week later with Arapaho winning the Sydney Cup was something you dream about.'' The trainer said both Group 1 stars were back in work with Stefi Magnetica being aimed at the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day and Arapaho set for the $8 million Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November. Baker has a stable laden with carnival talent including $10.5 million earner Overpass and classy rising three-year-old fillies, O' Ole and Within The Law. Overpass has contested two The Everest s, finishing unplaced in both, before winning the Group 3 Sydney Stakes on Everest Day last year. 'We are bringing Overpass back into pre-training next week and our main aim is to hit the Sydney Stakes nice and fresh but we would like to think he's in the mix for The Everest,'' Baker said. 'Then, we will go back to Perth and try and win another Winterbottom Stakes. We just have to find a good track for him.'' “I’m the luckiest man in the world!â€� This interview with @BBakerRacing after Stefi Magnetica’s win in the Doncaster Mile has it all - passion, emotion and laughs! ðŸ'• @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 Baker is excited about the new season prospects of the fillies, O' Ole who won on the Magic Millions before she was injured, and Within The Law, winner of the Sweet Embrace Stakes and a close second to Nepotism in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. 'O' Ole has just resumed pre-training but we are taking one step at a time with her, there are no set plans,'' he said. 'She might be a bit behind for the Sydney fillies races but we are mindful of getting her back to her best. 'Within The Law came back in on Monday and we will aim her at the big fillies races. She is a proper racehorse. 'I also have a lot of time for a filly called Horseshoe Hill that won at Hawkesbury earlier in the week. I'm looking at a race at Randwick for her next month. She is very good.'' HORSESHOE HILL, already listed placed, chose a provincial maiden to make a statement Green yet gifted; guided by @RachelK11 she held 2nd off & buried the rest at @hawkesburyrc ðŸ'� The All Too Hard 2YO filly was a $200k @mmsnippets buy for @ClarkeBStock, @RidgmontFarm & me — Bjorn Baker Racing (@BBakerRacing) June 17, 2025 Baker currently has just over 100 horses in work and concedes he would need to increase that number if he was to consistently challenge for the Sydney premiership. 'There is a bit of volatility in the Sydney trainers ranks with James (Cummings) going to Hong Kong,'' Baker continued. 'We will see what the new season brings but in terms of where I'm at, I'm comfortable with my numbers. 'We do have a bit more capacity there, with the team around me and my systems, we could handle a few more. 'But I have no real plans to have a satellite stable, I'm happy to be solely based at Warwick Farm – I'm Sydney-centric.'' â– â– â– â– â– Sprinter will need to be a star to fulfil Civic duties Iknowastar will have to achieve something no sprinter has managed in 50 years to win the Listed $200,000 Civic Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Bjorn Baker-trained Iknowastar is burdened with 60kg – a hefty handicap that hasn't been shouldered to success in the feature winter sprint since Gilt Pattern in 1975. In fact, only four other horses have carried 60kg or more to win the Civic Stakes since the race was first run 75 years ago. The outstanding duo of Triton (1973) and Fine and Dandy (1961) also carried 60kg (9st 6lbs) to success while the race weight-carrying record is shared by Zambari (1972) and Foresight (1969) who both won under 60.5kg (9st 7lbs). 'Iknowastar gave the stable one of our highlights for the season when he won the Five Diamonds Prelude,'' Baker said. 'He's had that first-up run at Doomben but has improved since and his barrier trial (six lengths win at Rosehill) was very good. He's going really well again.'' â�ï¸�â�ï¸�â�ï¸�â�ï¸�â�ï¸� A five star win! Iknowastar leads all the way at Randwick, giving @RachelK11 a double! @aus_turf_club @BBakerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024 Baker also has Raikkonen as fifth emergency for the Civic Stakes but still needs another four scratchings for the young sprinter to get into the start. 'Raikkonnen might be lucky to get in,'' Baker said. 'But he's in very good order and if he drew a barrier last start he probably wins. He's a young horse with a lot of ability.'' In early TAB Fixed Odds betting on the Civic Stakes, Raikkonen is at $5.50 and Iknowastar is at $10 behind the Joe Pr ide-trained Headley Grange at $3.30 favouritism. Baker has also entered Raikkonen ($3.10 favourite) for the Traffic Warden At Darley Handicap (1400m) in which the gelding has topweight of 63kg, with the trainer booking 2kg-claiming apprentice Anna Roper. The trainer has elected to start Miss Kim Kar ($5.50) alongside stablemate Stallone ($23) in QMS Media Handicap (1600m). 'Miss Kim Kar is racing in great form,'' Baker said. 'She won well at this track and then the race wasn't run to suit her last time. 'Stallone was disappointing last start but he's definitely better than that and we've put a tongue tie on him for Saturday.'' Miss Kim Kar storms home on the outside and wins the last at Randwick! ðŸ'¥ @djgibbons22 & @BBakerRacing get their double to close out the day! ✌ï¸� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 Baker is optimistic about the chances of consistent Hollywood Hero in the Living Turf Handicap (1800m). 'Hollywood Hero is another horse who is having a really good preparation,'' Baker said. 'He's right at his peak and 1800m suits him.''
News.com.au
15 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Rory McIlroy says new golfing adventures could spark his return to form and that includes the Australian Open
Masters champion Rory McIlroy has spoken glowingly about the Australian Open ahead of his sandbelt comeback this year, revealing new explorations could be key to rediscovering his mojo amid a post-Augusta haze. Since slumping to his knees on the 18th hole, tears streaming from his face as he finally completed the career grand slam by collecting his maiden green jacket in April, McIlroy has failed to fire as a major champion should. The world No.2 has delivered just one top-10 finish in four events since the Masters, two of which were majors, ending up in a tie for 19th as the world's best players battled the course and the elements at Oakmont Country Club in last week's US Open. Plenty have suggested that by reaching his own personal Mount Everest in taking the coveted trophy at Augusta, McIlroy was left with no more golfing mountains to climb. The Ryder Cup in September looms large as Europe look to topple the USA on home soil but McIlroy, who took a break after the Masters and has been loathe to talk much about his future plans, slotted in a return to Australia for the Open at Royal Melbourne in December and pointed to it now being a key entry on his calendar. McIlroy said taking the opportunity to explore the world of golf, rather than be drilled down on PGA Tour ambitions, could provide him the joy he's looking for in a career that already sits alongside some of the best ever. 'I've always wanted to go to India, and the European Tour and DP World created a new event there,' he said ahead of the Travellers Championship, the last of eight PGA Tour Signature events for 2025. 'I was asked at the start of the year would I be interested in going, and I said 'yeah, that sounds amazing'. 'The Hero Indian Open is like March-April time. I'd love to play DLF (Golf and Country Club in India) and figure out my way around that place, but this one in Delhi in October made more sense.' McIlroy then turned his attention to his Australian visit and said memories of playing the Australian Open as an amateur two decades ago, then winning it in 2013, made him excited about his return where he'll be the headline act as the event returns to a stand-alone men's tournament. 'I've always loved the Australian Open,' he said. 'I've won there before. I played there as an amateur in the Australian Open, qualified for it, went through a qualifier in 2005, got through like a nine-man playoff to get in, so I've always had a huge affinity for that part of the world. 'So to go back, especially Royal Melbourne this year, Kingston Heath next year, two of the best golf courses in the world on the sandbelt, that's awesome too. 'It's that part of the year where we have the ability to travel and to do these things, and if it makes sense for the schedule – there's never been a green jacket in India before, so to bring the green jacket to India is something that's going to be really cool. 'To go back to the Australian Open, I won that in 2013. Adam (Scott) and I had a great battle down the stretch on the last day, he was the Masters champion at that point. 'I don't know, I like to travel. I like to play in different parts of the world. I haven't been to Australia in 10 years, so it's nice to go back to these places.'
Sydney Morning Herald
17 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Joker and the Thief win the night: How a star duo helped Queensland play their oldest tune
However, the Maroons played smarter in the first half with their glut of possession, while the Blues charged one out at the defensive line with all the grace of a well-hurled bowling ball. The NSW forwards seemed more intent on winning a battle of collisions than securing a victory. Rugby league's two best centres, Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton, were starved of the ball, given the penalties and wet, greasy conditions. The game was, therefore, decided by players with the No.8 and higher on their backs and the Maroons edged NSW in this area. Incoming forward Kurt Capewell, a veteran of Origin, proved to be a welcome gap-plugger, run-stopper and back-up man. The Queensland pack found the go forward that had been missing in Brisbane. It wasn't as if NSW did not expect a Queensland fightback. A text message from the Blues dressing-room minutes before kick off read: 'We need to get through the opening onslaught and we should be OK.' NSW actually scored the first try when the Penrith halves combination that won four consecutive NRL premierships saw Nathan Cleary passing to Jarome Luai who grubbered through for another Panther and NSW's best, Brian To'o, to score. But the Blues frustration with penalties and dropped ball grew, resulting in a first-half completion rate of 56%. Queenslanders see omens everywhere at Origin time, including in the pre-match entertainment at Perth's Optus Stadium. Wolfmother sang 'Joker and the Thief'. Cameron Munster, the man of the match is known as a joker, although he wore his game face in his debut as captain. Harry Grant, his Melbourne teammate, played the role of thief, stealing metres from dummy half, including setting up Munster's try to give the Maroons a 20-6 lead. Queensland coach Billy Slater surprised by starting with his nominated team, despite leaving his best two forwards from the first game – Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan – on the bench. Carrigan's presence was needed when some of the inexperienced Maroons tired. Slater looked composed throughout, compared to the lead-up when, under sustained criticism, his normal unflappable self looked extremely flapped. Once again, the negative pre-match publicity fed the Queensland underdog psyche, with Munster revealing afterwards that the Maroons were motivated to 'turn up for our coach'. In the long history of Origin, how many times have we seen Queensland, when facing defeat, claw back, in the adrenalised manner of someone fighting off death? Still, the result would have been different if two of the conversion attempts of NSW winger Zac Lomax had not hit the uprights. Loading Similarly, in the Brisbane game, Cleary failed with three goal attempts, although in that match it did not matter. In the final analysis, the Maroons out-hustled, outwitted and outlasted the Blues, and we now move to Homebush for the decider on July 9. Unexpected, maybe. Unbelievable, perhaps. Unfinished, certainly.
