Wishing on a Rainbow

TRAINER Bjorn Baker is hoping the “real” African Rainbow turns up for the Toukley RSL Class 1 Handicap ( 1600m) at Wyong today.

“African Rainbow can be a bit hit and miss but she has ability and looks well placed in this race,’’ Baker said.

African Rainbow has had two runs back this campaign, winning her maiden impressively at Newcastle then run- ning seventh behind boom filly Moss Trip in the Inglis 3yo Guineas at Scone.

“I thought she ran well at Scone and ( today’s) race is a big drop in grade for her,’’ Baker said. “I feel the 1600m will suit her, too.’’

Baker is sending a team of four to Wyong, including firststarter Achieved, a daughter of Winx’s sire Street Cry, who is in the Doylo Maiden ( 1000m).

He said Achieved’s trials had been good and she had a “definite chance.”

Baker was a little more conservative when assessing the chances of The Towers in the Toukley Golf Club 3yo Maiden ( 1350m). He was similarly cautious about Fantastic Destiny, who is owned by Bert Vieira of Trapeze Artist fame and is going to the races for the first time in the Munmorah Bowling Club 2yo Maiden ( 1300m).

“We will find out more about The Towers ( today),’’ Baker said. “He had been trialling nicely leading into his Muswellbrook debut but he did everything wrong that day.

“The Towers has since trialled well at Randwick so I hope he can put it together.

“Fantastic Destiny is by Pierro and we are hoping she can run a competitive race.’’

Baker is also likely to send Zafox to Wellington today for the Quains Liquor Maiden Plate ( 1400m).

“Zafox was just beaten at Canberra first- up and he has improved since,’’ he said. “From his good barrier ( four) … it does look a winnable race.”

Meanwhile, he confirmed filly Champagne Cuddles is likely to start in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic ( 1350m) rather than the Group 1 KingsfordSmith Cup ( 1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

“If she can win the Fred Best, that would make her exempt from ballot for the Stradbroke Handicap, which she would get into with a light weight,’’ the trainer said.

Baker said Champagne Cuddles has thrived since she smashed the Gold Coast 1200m course record winning the Gold Coast Guineas firstup in a flying 1m 7.65s earlier this month.

Champagne Cuddles was racing for the first time since successive second placings at Group 1 level in the Golden Rose behind Trapeze Artist and the Flight Stakes to Alizee last spring.

“She was so good at the Gold Coast … but she is going to have to do a good job at her next two runs so we can look closely at the race,” Baker said.