Bjorn opts out of 3YO clash
TRAINER Bjorn Baker has hinted he is likely to avoid a meeting of his top three-yearold colts Addictive Nature and Goodfella at Rosehill tomorrow.
The duo are entered for the Group 2 $200,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) but Baker said only Addictive Nature is a certain starter.
“I would say Goodfella is 95 per cent to go to the Eskimo Prince Stakes next week,’’ Baker said.
“They are very good colts and I want to give them the best opportunities so I will probably just go with Addictive Nature (tomorrow).’’
Addictive Nature ($3.20) and Goodfella ($11) are prominent in early betting for the Expressway, where Global Glamour is the $3 favourite.
The weight-for-age sprint has proven a bridge too far for many three-year-olds since 2000m with only Mentality (2007) and Happy Galaxy (2013) beating the older horses.
But the Baker pair seem well-equipped to take on their older rivals tomorrow, particularly Addictive Nature.
A well-bred son of Cox Plate winner Savabeel, Addictive Nature showed a lot of promise at his debut preparation, winning twice (plus two placings) from four starts including the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality last spring.
Addictive Nature resumes tomorrow off two Randwick barrier trial wins last month, the most recent a very impressive effort as he sprinted past Sheikha to win by more than two lengths.
“I’m really happy with how this colt is coming up,’’ Baker said. “The 1200m, I think, will be fine as he did win over 1100m at his debut as a twoyear-old.
“I’ve got a good opinion of this colt and I’m hoping he is in for a big autumn.”