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Bjorn Baker has now enjoyed two weekend city winners in as many weeks courtesy of Havana Rey taking out the Pluck @ Vinery Handicap at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Havana Rey looked well suited in the opening race of the day at Warwick Farm where the King Cugat gelding dropped in distance and returned to his home track following a sound fourth at Rosehill.
It was a clinical performance by the three-year-old who was urged across to lead from his wide barrier by jockey Glyn Schofield with race favourite Hendricus in pursuit.
Havana Rey enjoyed a comfortable lead for the duration of the mile event and always looked the winner in the straight, going on to record a 2.5 length success over Flying Zero and Disciple.
“It was a great win,” trainer Bjorn Baker said.
“He has been a very special horse for me since coming over.”
Saturday's success at Warwick Farm was Havana Rey's third metropolitan win and has spearheaded the stables charge since Bjorn Baker's operation commenced at Warwick Farm early this season.
“That is his third city win,” Baker said.
“This guy turned up and they [breeders/owners] said 'he goes pretty good - I got him from a pre-trainer out at Orange. He has continued to step up and he is a lovely horse.”
Baker's small team is beginning to gather momentum now with Havana Rey's latest weekend city win coming just seven days after Group 1 performed stayer Mr Tipsy saluted at Rosehill.
These latest results have further justified Baker's decision to relocate from New Zealand where he trained at Cambridge in partnership with father Murray.
With increased prizemoney on offer across New South Wales as of July 1, Havana Rey's success in the opening event at Warwick Farm today netted connections close to $70,000 including the $20,000 BOBS bonus.
“It is a huge earn,” Baker said.
“It is like winning a Group 1 back in New Zealand.
“With the stakesmoney on offer here I am still pinching myself.”
