Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker sent out another Vinery-sired galloper with potential on Saturday when his Headwater 2yo Ride The River was a first-up winner at Newcastle.

Ride The River started a $2.80 favourite and had the $60,000 Lake Macquarie Carpet Cleaning Super Maiden Plate (900m) won a long way from home after railing through for Christian Reith at the top of the straight.

A good-looking chestnut with a big white blaze and four white stockings, he cruised to the line a couple of lengths clear of Precious Straand (Press Statement) and Party Prophet (Divine Prophet).  “That was a dominant win and there’s a lot more improvement in him,” Baker said.  “He has a big frame and a big action and it’s great to get another good one for a super client like Scott Darby.”

Ride The River is the 12th individual 2yo winner by Headwater in Australia this season and the Vinery stallion is in third spot behind Champion sires Written Tycoon (16 winners) and Snitzel (13 winners) at the top of that table.

His dam Mosscedes is a Doomben-winning daughter of former Vinery sire Mossman and she’s a half-sister to Sovereign Nation (Encosta de Lago) who won the MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) in 2015.  That was the same night a certain Mossman sprinter named Buffering lit up the Valley winning his third Moir Stakes (Gr.1, 1200m).

Baker and Darby are a potent combination winning Group 1 sprints with Ozzmosis (VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Overpass (WATC Winterbottom Stakes) in the last twelve months.

Another burgeoning relationship for the Warwick Farm trainer is with Hunter Valley-based Cunningham Thoroughbreds.  They teamed up to win the Group 1 Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) at Eagle Farm last month with 3yo All Too Hard filly Stefi Magnegtica and there’s a multi-million dollar campaign looming in the spring.

“Stefi Magnetica is a tenacious filly and she showed a tremendous will to win in the Stradbroke,” Baker said.  “She deserved that Group 1 and it was fantastic to win it with the Cunningham family.  We decided to skip the Tatt’s Tiara and she will come back and be set for the Golden Eagle with The Everest a possibility along the way.”

The $20million The Everest (1200m) is scheduled for October 19 at Randwick and the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 4 at Rosehill.  She has opened at $26 with the corporates for both events.

Stefi Magnetica (Mid Summer Music) was purchased from Cressfield for $140,000 at the 2022 Gold Coast Magic Millions and Baker is also preparing her All Too Hard stablemate Regimental Colours for Cressfield owner Bruce Neill.

Regimental Colours is the final foal of Champion Australian 3yo Filly Regimental Gal (General Nediym).  She won 2yo trials at Rosehill and Hawkesbury but pulled up shin-sore after a third hit-out at Randwick last month.

“She’s gone for a break and it was a pity she didn’t get to the races this prep,” Baker said.  “It’s a beautiful pedigree and she’s a strong, fast filly with ability.  We’re looking forward to bringing her back next season.”

All Too Hard stands for $38,500 at Vinery Stud with Ole Kirk ($55,000), Exceedance ($33,000), Star Turn ($27,500), Hawaii Five Oh ($16,500), Headwater ($9,900) and Casino Prince ($5,500).

All service fees include GST with payment on a live foal terms.  For bookings or further information contact Adam, Harry, McKoy or Peter on (02) 6543 8333.