The Bjorn Baker stable has been in hot form of late and they struck again in the Group III MRC Ethereal Stakes (2000m at Caulfield won by promising young Kiwi bred staying filly Renaissance Woman, who was coming out of the Group I ATC Flight Stakes.
Sixth in the Group II ATC Tea Rose and then seventh in the Flight, Renaissance Woman relished the step out to a staying trip and finished with a rush for Josh Parr to beat the favourite Foxy Cleopatra by three-quarters of a length.
“The physical development she has made has been great. I trialled her at Rosehill and then rode her in a race at Canterbury, and I was quite upbeat about the feel that she gave me,” said Josh Parr.
"Just screaming out for time at that particular moment (last prep) and she's got that now, got down here in the spring and she's really furnished into a lovely filly.
"I was confident in my pursuit of catching the lead group. I had a lot of horse but I had to take my time. She needed my help around Caulfield the first time so I had to assure her around the bend.”
Stable representative Stephanie Cook was thrilled with the win having strapped Renaissance Woman since the day she entered the stable.
A $250,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for Attunga Stud from the Westbury Stud draft, Renaissance Woman was the most expensive yearling filly by Reliable Man (GB) sold in 2021 and has won two of six starts earning $160,000 in prizemoney.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Renaissance Woman is the best of two winners from winning Fastnet Rock mare Mrs Kennedy, a sibling to Group I winning sprinter Mrs Onassis and Group winners Fifth Avenue, Aussies Love Sport and Miss Judgement, the dam of Group III winner Missrock and stakes-winner Passive Aggressive.
The female family is all about speed, but obviously classic sire Reliable Man has had a big input into the mating with Renaissance Woman on track for the VRC Oaks.
Westbury Stud’s Reliable Man already has two Oaks winners on the board in Miami Bound and Miss Sentimental with Renaissance Woman seeking the hat-trick.
