After a spate of rain-affected winter tracks, the final meeting of the season is set to be held on a good surface at Randwick and that is music to the ears of trainer Bjorn Baker.

Baker will saddle up six runners and is adamant all of them will relish the firmer footing.

“Bring The Ransom, O’Mudgee, Canasta, He’s A Hotshot and Night Of Power will all definitely appreciate a good track,” Baker said.

“Even Van Giz, I’ve always thought she’s a little bit better on top of the ground.

“From that point of view, I’m going into Saturday confident.”

Baker has trained 57 metropolitan winners this season and is hoping to add to that tally on Saturday as he bids to nose out Godolphin’s James Cummings for second place on the Sydney trainers’ premiership.

While he can make a case for the majority of his runners, he regards Canasta as his best chance in the ATC Thank You Owners Handicap (1500m).

The gelding has been a model of consistency on wet tracks, placing in four of his five campaign runs and finishing a last-start fourth to Steely in heavy conditions at Randwick.

Four of his five career-wins have been on good surfaces and Baker is hoping Canasta can enhance that record this weekend.

“Canasta, the way he has been running in stronger grade, is probably the pick of them,” he said.

Baker trains out of Warwick Farm which falls into one of the local government areas placed under tougher restrictions than the rest of Greater Sydney.

He admits the latest lockdown restrictions have presented a challenge with some staff unable to travel for work but says the remaining staff have chipped in to ensure it is business as usual.

“We have a lot of people affected in the Parramatta, Fairfield and Liverpool LGAs that can’t leave,” Baker said.

“Race day is a bit of a challenge but outside that we are going OK. Most of the horses are getting worked and we’ve got a good, caring bunch of staff. The horses are all well so that’s the main thing.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au