3 minute read
If country racing is the soul of the industry then Roma trainer Wayne Baker is a great example.
Baker , a former jockey, has travelled the length and breadth of the state with horses since he began training more than 20 years ago.
He started in the racing industry as a jockey at Roma and was an apprentice with Barry Baldwin , who is now based at Eagle Farm, and rode many winners including several country feature races.
Baker is part of the well-known Baker clan in South East Queensland with brother Don "Ducky" Baker training at Toowoomba while sister Carmel Baker trains at Charleville.
Another brother Bub Baker lives in North Queensland but has given training away after many years in the industry.
Wayne Baker is hopeful his longevity in racing will be rewarded with two qualifiers in the $105,000 Country Stampede Final at Doomben on December 2.
He gets his first opportunity with former Gold Coast sprinter Parko in the Country Stampede qualifier at Barcaldine on Saturday while hopes for another berth rest with Unrestricted at Charleville on Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday.
Baker already has 11-time winner Menindee qualified for the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge Final at Doomben, which will be contested on the same day as the Country Stampede Final.
Parko won eight races for his former trainer Scott Morrisey at the Gold Coast before he was moved on to Baker's Roma stables.
The son of Smart Missile is lining up for start number 65 and will be ridden by Dakota Graham on Saturday.
"I think he should win this race at Barcaldine and that will definitely get him into the Final at Doomben," Baker said.
"I don't think the others have the early speed to match him in this race.
"He's already placed in a few qualifiers, which should see him get in, but a win will guarantee it.
"He's racing well and should have won two of his last three starts at Charleville and Dalby."
Parko's only success for Baker was on his home track at Roma in March this year when he strolled home by eight lengths at his third start for the stable in a 1200 metre Open Handicap sprint.
Although he's failed to win since, Parko has placed four times in his last nine starts including his latest effort when second to the Raymond Williams-trained Echo Point at Blackall on October 21.
