Dubai, Rosehill, Bathurst – they’re all the same to trainer Baker’s eye on prize
TRAINER Bjorn Baker is about to tackle two of the most difficult challenges in world racing but his professionalism ensures his immediate focus is on trying to have success at the Bathurst meeting today.
Baker has Music Magnate set to travel to Dubai today to prepare for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint later this month while stablemate Crack Me Up is being readied for a showdown with super mare Winx in the Group 1 $ 1 million George Ryder Stakes – but the trainer is also banking on a Bathurst stable hat- trick.
“I’ve got three runners at Bathurst, Hez Lethal, Money Travels and Bel’s Boy, and they all should be hard to beat, their runs last start were very good,’’ Baker said.
Hez Lethal, who has finished in the money at his only two starts earlier this month, lines up in the Maiden Handicap over 1106m .
Baker said Hez Lethal has improved since his first- up effort when he led for a long way before finishing less than a half length behind Shirazzle over 1200m at Kembla Grange.
Money Travels has also picked up prizemoney in each of his three starts including his most recent when sent out favourite in an Orange maiden over 1300m. After a wide run, he was overpowered late by Posh Arli.
Bel’s Boy, an impressive winner on debut at Orange, has drawn a little awkwardly in barrier nine for the Class 1 Handicap ( 1106m), but “he’s doing everything right for this race”.
Meanwhile, Baker said Liverpool City Cup winner Crack Me Up would definitely line up against Winx in the George Ryder as part of his preparation for the $ 3 million Doncaster Mile ( 1600m) on April 7.
Music Magnate is primed to take on some of the world’s best sprinters in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup day on March 31.