Baker turns on more Magic at Canterbury

Wednesday 15 January 2014, 3:47pm

Bjorn Baker has capped a remarkable week with a winning double at a steamy Canterbury on Wednesday.

The Warwick Farm trainer was the toast of the Gold Coast on Saturday when he won the $2 million Magic Millions Classic with Unencumbered.

Three days later he celebrated his 36th birthday before coming away from Canterbury with a perfect strike rate after his only two runners, Coolring and Immense, were both successful.

"When you go well, you go well," Baker said.

Unencumbered gave Baker his biggest victory when he took his record to five wins from six starts at the Gold Coast.

The former New Zealander ensured he savoured the moment.

"It was my birthday yesterday and somebody asked me how old I was. I said on Saturday night I was 18 and on Sunday morning I was 81," Baker said.

He confirmed Unencumbered had come through Saturday in better shape than his trainer and was already back at Hawkesbury enjoying a well-deserved break.

Baker is the first to admit Unencumbered has had an arduous schedule for a two-year-old and he has been astounded by how well the horse has coped.

So much so that if he continues to please, he will be given his chance in the Golden Slipper although no concrete plans have been laid.

"In terms of how he has travelled and recovered, he's a horse who can bounce back," Baker said.

"I never would have thought I'd give a two-year-old six runs at Magic Millions time. He's handled everything so well."

Baker teamed up with Magic Millions-winning jockey Nathan Berry for the first leg of his Canterbury double when Coolring led throughout to just hold off the last-ditch dive of short-priced favourite Pera Pera in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1250m).

It was the three-year-old's first victory from four starts and when he next returns it will be with less baggage.

"I thought he might have just about had enough so he's done well today," Baker said.

"He will still go to the paddock after this and he still needs to be gelded as well."

Baker teamed up with Brenton Avdulla to take out the Congrats @ Vinery Handicap (1900m) with Immense who landed his first metropolitan win at his tenth start.

– AAP

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