Baker’s bullish on his star colt

Trainer Bjorn Baker concedes there is “nowhere to hide” with exciting three-year-old sprinter Ozzmosis during the Sydney autumn carnival.

Ozzmosis, an outstanding winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring, steps out in a crucial barrier trial at Randwick on Thursday as Baker readies his star colt for a race return next month.

“I can’t believe how much Ozzmosis has developed since the spring, he looks phenomenal,’’ Baker said.

“It’s impossible not to like him because, for a colt, he has a great attitude, he’s very calm and collected, and is just a pleasure to do anything with.

“He has this presence about him, he has a few special traits and he showed in the spring he’s got the ability, too.

“His Coolmore win at Flemington means there is nowhere to hide with him now but I feel he’s good enough to take on the best sprinters around.’’

Baker said Ozzmosis was likely to have a second trial before resuming in the Group 1 $1m The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 23 before he lines up in the Group 1 $3m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 6.

“We will get through this Randwick trial first but I think he will have another trial before The Galaxy,’’ he said.

“Rachel King will be back from Japan to ride him in the second trial.’’

Ozzmosis will be ridden by apprentice Dylan Gibbons when he contests a star-studded 850m barrier trial on the Kensington track on Thursday morning that also includes Golden Slipper winner Shinzo, Hawaii Five Oh, I Am Me, Ruthless Dame and Kovalica.

Another outstanding threeyear-old, Godolphin’s VRC winner Zardozi steps out in the opening trial over 1250m as James Cummings prepares his filly for a possible comeback in the Group 1 Surround Stakes on March 2.