Fresh from training half of the 10-race program at Randwick, Bjorn Baker will bid to keep his momentum rolling this weekend, albeit with a much smaller contingent of runners.
Baker took seven horses to headquarters last Saturday and came away with five wins and a close third and while he was confident that two of his team, Ozzmosis and Passeggiata, would be hard to beat, the victories by Iowna Merc, Ita and Lady Of Luxury were more of a pleasant surprise.
“I thought those two could definitely win,” Baker said.
“Iowna Merc, he was a great chance again and of all of them, he was backable at the price.
“The others, I was hopeful.”
With only a trio of runners at Rosehill, Baker won’t be repeating his heroics of a week ago, but he is confident his team can leave their mark.
Cosmic Minerva ($5.50) resumes in the Ranvet Handicap (1300m) and is the most fancied of his team.
He has managed a top-three finish in six of his seven starts, his only flop coming at the end of his most recent campaign when he over-reacted in blinkers.
“He really played up like a ratbag, so we’ve obviously taken those off,” Baker said.
“He’s a quality horse, I think he’ll continue to go through the grades.
“I would have loved him to draw a better gate (than nine), but he’s still a great each-way chance.”
Two-year-old Canadian Ruler comes to town after leading throughout on debut at Bathurst and while he faces a stiff rise in grade, Baker says the youngster is showing the right signs at home and deserves his chance.
“We’re under no illusions going from a country maiden to Saturday city race for two-year-olds, it’s going to be tough,” he said.
“But his work has been good since, everything we’re doing with him suggests 1400 is up his alley.
“We get Josh Parr on and from gate four he looks to get a pretty good run. He’ll put himself in the first half of the field and he’s not out of it.”
Maurice’s Medad rounds out Baker’s contingent in the Furphy Handicap (1500m) and tackles the race second-up after a solid fifth to Robusto over the same course and distance two weeks ago.
“I was thinking we may wait for an 1800 the week after but from gate one and Josh Parr on, we’ve probably got to go there,” Baker said.
“He’s in very good order and he’s not out of it if he can get things his own way.”