Baffert was just 13 starts into his career when he broke the 680-metre track record at Geelong last week, stopping the clock in a brilliant 38.65 seconds.

For trainer Brooke Ennis, the performance came as no surprise.

“He has shown great ability from very early on,” Ennis said.

Baffert breaks the 680 metre track record at Geelong from box two.

That ability now faces its biggest test yet, with the son of Aston Rupee and Super Estrella set to step out in a heat of the Group 1 Sportsbet Fanta Bale Stayers (730m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

Not only will it be Baffert’s first attempt at the 730-metre journey, he also lines up against a high-class field that includes last-start Group 1 Sportsbet Zoom Top winner Magpie Hector and proven Group performer Ayden’s Warrior.

Baffert will jump from box eight in race five, with a top-four finish securing a spot in the Group 1 final.

“He’s a young, inexperienced dog in a hot field with a shocking box,” Ennis said.

“The track record just proves what we already knew about him, and I suspect he’ll take a lot of confidence from that run.”

“We always had the Fanta Bale Stayers heats planned for him and his preparation has been based around getting up in distance. His lead-up trials suggest the distance won’t be a worry for him.”

Ennis also paid credit to her husband Jamie, who first spotted the Aston Rupee–Super Estrella litter and purchased two pups – Baffert and Pletcher – when they were just three months old, alongside good friends Michael and Michelle Jones.

“Jamie flew over to pick them out as babies. We had some back-and-forth with pictures, but ultimately, I left the pressure to Jamie,” she said.

While there is plenty to get excited about with Baffert – who is named after American trainer Bob Baffert – Ennis is keeping a level head.

“You don’t win Group 1 races sitting at home,” she said.

“If he wants to keep leading and breaking track records, he’s going to be a fun dog to have.”

The two heats of the Sportsbet Fanta Bale Stayers headline a quality program at The Meadows on Saturday night, which also features four Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup heats.