Champion trainers have lots of firepower

Last season’s champion trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have just four wins as the first month ticks by, but boy, do they have some firepower at the weekend.

The training partners have a great hand in the two features at Wanganui today and dual Horse of the Year Bonneval takes on the Aussies in the group one Memsie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Botti is the $2.70 early favourite for the $50,000 HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas, which might appear a shade of the shorts, but it’s not.

True, Botti has had just one race start and that was against just three opponents, but it was probably the best debut juvenile win through all of last season.

The acceleration he showed was exceptional, as was the ease of the victory.

Botti has to step up to 1340m, but that will not be a problem. Cut him and he would bleed stamina.

His grand dam Blue Denim won an Auckland Cup and should have won a Melbourne Cup. The Victoria Derby is on Botti’s radar and keep in mind his sire, the ill-fated Jakkalberry, turned in a great performance to place in his Melbourne Cup.

Wanganui is quite a sharp racecourse — certainly sharper than Pukekohe where Botti scored on debut, but his class should show.

Atenartin is highly thought of by connections and his recent winning margins are two lengths and three lengths. His No 1 barrier would not always be an advantage in this type of race at Wanganui, but he has the ability to clear the barriers quickly, which will be handy.

Notabadidea created an impression, winning on debut at Taupo, showing he is talented and able to handle an “off ” surface. He overcame a bad gate at Taupo and has drawn better this time.

The Baker/Forsman team also have Red Beach — one from one — engaged today.

They will produce a real quality filly in Peaceful in the $50,000 O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes and she is entitled to favouritism. Back in June she monstered Cyber Attack, a stylish stakes winner at Te Rapa last week. She is high class and will take elevated ranking before the summer season.

Lots of opposition in this though. Secret Allure, Tutta La Classe and London Express are all talented.

Bonneval, who races well when fresh, is $7.50 on the Australian TAB to win the Memsie at Moonee Valley. That is more generous than the $3.40 favouritism offered around Night’s Watch. He’s a talented stayer on the way through, but this time faces a much stronger field on level weights.

This a massive leap up and if Night’s Watch can make the transition, have a bit on him in the Caulfield Cup, which Darren Weir is aiming him for.