Baker has rich race o
WELLINGTON: The $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie in January is the ‘‘logical target’’ for Madison County.
That was the initial thought of cotrainer Murray Baker as he took stock after Madison County’s win in the group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton Park on Saturday.
‘‘It’s never easy to travel them [from Cambridge] all the way down there and have them produce their best, so I was delighted with what he produced.
‘‘We will have the chance to give him a little break after he completes the trip home during the week and, depending on how he comes through it all, we might take a look at the 3yrold race at Ellerslie.
‘‘That’s a mile [1600m] as well, which will suit him and is the logical target for him, I would think.’’
Stablemates The Chosen One and Qiji Expres are likely to be sent for brief spells.
‘‘Nothing panned out for The Chosen One as he was caught wide throughout,’’ Baker said of the Southlandbred.
‘‘He’s also very talented, but has come a long way in a very short time, so a little freshenup will do him the world of good.’’
Baker is confident Mental Telepathy, who finished strongly for third in the Metropolitan Trophy will do well in the 3200m New Zealand Cup on the last day of the carnival.
‘‘I thought he made up nice ground after getting well out of it in the early stages. He’s by Shocking out of a Galileo mare, so his breeding suggests he will get two miles, as does his racing pattern.’’
The stable has the chance of a feature double for 3yrolds as Valalie is set to contest the New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
‘‘The mile [1600m] and the big roomy track will suit her. Her work of late has been very good.’’
Outsider Dee And Gee scored her biggest win in the Metropolitan Trophy.
The 5yrold, who paid $51, was sent to the front by Cameron Lammas with more than 1600m left to run and defied her rivals down the long home straight.
She is also likely to start in
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