Bjorn Baker isn't afraid to search far and wide for the right race to build confidence in a horse, so it isn't entirely unexpected that Stefi Magnetica arrives at the Group 1 Surround Stakes via pitstops in Wellington and Orange.

Baker often seasons his horses on the country circuit – She's Ideel won her maiden at Goulburn, was beaten at Muswellbrook and went on to post Group 1 placings in the Tancred, Winx and Chipping Norton Stakes.

While Stefi Magnetica has a few bridges to cross before she can be judged in that class, her grounding has been similar.

Winless after four starts, the daughter of All Too Hard travelled to Wellington in July where she broke her maiden impressively.

Baker raised the bar at her next campaign to a benchmark 58 race at Orange where she posted career win number two.

Since then, Stefi Magnetica has blossomed, finishing second at Flemington in January, third at Rosehill in February and a slashing fourth in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last start.

It might not be the conventional roadmap for a Surround Stakes hopeful, but it works for Baker.

"It's not where you start, it's where you end up," Baker said.

"It's something that has worked a lot for us. I've had a lot of success taking them wide, they get used to travelling and if anything, they're better for it.

"She can run a cheeky race on Saturday. You never get ahead of yourself in a Group One against the best fillies in the country, but I think she's going to end up a very good mare."

Stefi Magnetica put the writing on the wall when warming up late behind the Light Fingers Stakes placegetters.

From the inside gate in the Surround Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, Baker sees her getting a much cosier run and she is bred to appreciate the extra distance being out of 2012 Stradbroke Handicap winner Mid Summer Music.

"She should be a lot closer and have a more economical run than she's been having of late," Baker said.

"She is still going to need a bit of luck, but she has had no luck in her last three starts."

After opening at $26, Stefi Magnetica is into $16 while stablemate Arapho is a $61 outsider for his Group 1 assignment in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m).

After missing most of the spring with a virus, the reigning Ranvet Stakes winner returned with a solid performance behind Fangirl in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) and Baker views Saturday's race as another important stepping stone.

"He ran really well first-up. The mile definitely suits, but I think you'll see the best of him over 2000 metres and then into the Tancred," he said.

"I'm really happy with how he's coming up, he looks good and he's going well."