Big Papa heads Baker’s Kiwi-bred quinella at Rosehill
Expat New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker had a big day on Saturday with New Zealand-bred members of his Warwick Farm stable, including a quinella by Big Papa (NZ) (Astern) and Hezdarnhottoo (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) in the A$160,000 Racing and Sports Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill.
That result sat alongside a pair of Listed wins by War Eternal in the Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm and Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) (Rewood) in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
Saturday’s Benchmark 78 handicap at Rosehill was the first metropolitan victory for the promising Big Papa, who has now had six starts for three wins, a placing and A$172,000 in stakes.
Big Papa was ridden by Alysha Collett and broke sharply from gate six to push forward and take up the early lead. Lightning Glory (Hallowed Crown) took over coming down the side of the track, but Big Papa was travelling sweetly approaching the home turn and had that rival in his sights.
Collett pushed the button in the straight and Big Papa bounded up alongside Lightning Glory and took command passing the 200m mark. Big Papa drew clear and went on to win by two lengths from his strong-finishing stablemate Hezdarnhottoo.
Baker is in England ahead of saddling Overpass (Vancouver) in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, but before his departure, he commented on his high regard for Big Papa. Like stable stars such as Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) and Overpass, Big Papa began his career in country New South Wales with a maiden victory at Bathurst last June.
"It's amazing the positive impact it can have on a horse, travelling them to the bush to win early in their career," Baker said. "It's a tactic that we've used to good effect, so it's something we'll continue to do. Big Papa is a horse that excites me a bit coming into this preparation.”
Big Papa was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and is by Astern out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Papilio (NZ), who won four races including the Listed South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Papilio is a half-sister to the Group Three winner Amaryllis (NZ) (Red Ransom), while the pair’s dam Lafleur (NZ) (Zabeel) was a dual Group Two winner.
Pencarrow Stud offered Big Papa in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, where Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock bought him for $70,000.
Winner: Big Papa (NZ) 2022
Owners: Bjorn Baker Racing, SamaSuna Racing, Mr S J Davoren, Redoubt Racing, Mr S Lambert, Mrs J C Webster, Mr G J Webster, Mr M L Carr, Mr A M Dragicevich, Mr P J Folwell, Mr T C Heaslip, Mr G C G Brown, Mr P M O'Shea, Mr A T Pengilly, Force 24 Racing, Ms R E Ivery, Mr D H Robinson, Mrs E D Robinson, Mr L A Hilton, Miss G R Griffin
Trainer: Mr Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm)
Breeding: by Astern (AUS) out of Papilio (NZ) by Redoute's Choice (AUS)
Breeder: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd
Sales: 2024 National Yearling Sales Series V: Pencarrow Stud $70,000, P: Bjorn Baker Racing Pty Ltd
