Reliable Man Filly Chasing G1 Spring Champion

Media Release - Wednesday October 19

The lure of a Group One race in his adopted hometown has been enough to convince Bjorn Baker to back-up Renaissance Woman in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The Reliable Man filly arrived back in Sydney earlier this week after landing a brilliant victory at Caulfield on Saturday, coming from last on the corner and pulling away from her rivals late to capture the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). 

Renaissance Woman will back up into the G1 Spring Champion Stakes - image Grant Courtney

The victory rocketed her into Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) favouritism and while the fillies' classic is on Baker's radar, he said the opportunity to take on the males for a $2 million purse and a valuable Group One win is arguably even more enticing. 

"It was either this or the Wakeful (Gr.2, 2000m), but it's a big race on our back doorstep," Baker said. 

"In a roundabout way, the Spring Champion is bigger than the Oaks, so we will look at this Saturday first before making any decisions. 

"But she has travelled back great, she looks to have worked fantastic and I couldn't be happier." 

The Spring Champion represents a more significant challenge for Renaissance Woman, who was midfield in the Gr.2 Tea Rose (1400m) and Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) before her Victorian raid, but Baker feels she is only coming into her own now she is being extended to longer trips. 

Advertisement

"That's the key for her, out in distance," Baker said. 

"It's a big race and you can never be too confident, but she is in good form and she stays, that's a big tick." 

Renaissance Woman has barrier nine in the field of 12 with Rachel King to ride.

Renaissance Woman was offered by Westbury Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and was knocked down at Karaka for $250,000 with the ticket signed by Brian Nutt’s Attunga Stud and she is raced by his brother-in-law Geoff Walsh.

The filly is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Mrs Kennedy, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Mrs Onassis and the Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) winner Miss Judgment, dam of multiple Group One placegetter Missrock.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.