Champagne finish looms for Baker

TRAINER Bjorn Baker believes things have fallen into place for three-year-old Champagne Cuddles to give him another Queensland feature win in the Stradbroke.

Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for Baker who won the 2014 Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast with Unencumbered and 2015 Doomben 10,000 with Music Magnate.

Champagne Cuddles has been near the top of the Stradbroke markets since winning the Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) in course record time on May 5.

Baker surprised many when he elected to take on weight for age company with her in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup rather than the Fred Best Classic against her own age group at Doomben on May 26.

But the filly proved him correct when she came from well back to finish third behind hardened weight-for-age performers Impending and Le Romain.

“The run showed us she was up to the weight-for-age horses. She is back in a handicap with only 50kg,” Baker said.

“It gave her a chance to have a look at Doomben and also the 1350m at that track.”