The story of how a group of current and former Carlton footballers became involved in a leading spring carnival contender began two years ago at a hotel bar in Bali. Barker and Kheir, who had been promising footballers together at St Joseph's College in North Melbourne in the early 1990s, reconnected while holidaying with their families.
Kheir went on to become a highly successful businessman and owner of winners of the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Everest. Barker carved out a 168-game AFL career and became a respected assistant coach, spending 11 years at Carlton.
“Over a few cocktails, we just had a bit of a chat, and you know, I’d always admired him from afar in terms of his ability to get his hands on really good horses,” Barker said. When Barker asked about opportunities to race a horse with Kheir, he was told it was “a bit of a closed book”.
Barker then played his trump card, knowing Kheir was a massive Carlton fan. “Well, mate, I tell you what, I reckon there will be a few Carlton boys that would love to get into racehorse or two with you. And he said, ‘OK, like who?’ ‘I know Crippa would love to, and I think Juddy’s got his hands on a couple [of horses], Marc Murphy, he loves strutting around racetracks.’”
Kheir softened, and the Baggers Naggers syndicate was born. The group, including Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering, Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow, now shares Birdman, a stayer who has risen to be a leading Cox Plate contender after Group 1 wins in Brisbane and the Underwood Stakes. A smaller Baggers Five syndicate with Cripps, Walsh, Judd, Murphy and Barker recently bought a share in English raider James J Braddock, fourth favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
“Fair to say I had a couple of little whiskys that night just thinking and dreaming,” Barker said of the moment Birdman emerged as a serious contender. “You can feel the excitement building within the WhatsApp messages. There’s a bit of fun, a bit of cheekiness going on in there.”
Cripps is due to fly from Perth to attend the Cox Plate, while Docherty is on a golf trip. Barker summed up the mood: “Most of the boys are really, really grateful for it. And you have to pinch at yourself. We’ve got a Cox Plate runner who’s a live chance. It’s unbelievable.”