Baker seeking first Australian group 1 with Music Magnate
Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker is one of the most-improved trainers this season and he’s now targeting his first Australian group 1 this Saturday with Music Magnate.
The four-year-old has been competing well at good levels and it has finished out of the money only once from 11 starts. The son of Written Tycoon will be in new territory in the weight-for-age conditions of the Doomben 10,000, but Baker feels the time is right for a try at the big time.
“If we were ever going to race in a group 1 and he confident that he was going to acquit himself well, it would be Saturday,” Baker said.
“He looks great and I think he’s ready for the 1350 [metres].
“He’ll be there or thereabouts but I think he might be better sitting just off them.”
Not suited by the weight-for-age conditions, Music Magnate will have to call upon its quality if it’s going to win. Bookmakers still have it safe in the market at $6.50 with Crownbet and are respecting the form in behind Clearly Innocent at
Scone.
Baker also lines up last start winner Cadogan ($7.00) in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes, but is questioning whether to run colt after it draw barrier 14.
“We’ll have to think about it,” Baker said.
“He’s going to go up anyway because if he doesn’t run on Saturday he’ll run on Saturday week [in the Listed Phoenix Farm].”
Baker said his recent success in Queensland is down to having his horses peaking at the right time.
“It’s nice to go up there and be competitive. We’ve got some nice horses that we’ve been patient with – that’s probably the most important thing – and I’m lucky to have a great team of staff which definitely helps,” Baker said.
“It’s funny how it’s worked out, I think the timing of it all was more set up towards the end of last year rather than a month or two ago, particularly with horses like Music Magnate and Imposing Lass.”
Imposing Lass is currently an $8.00 chance at Sportsbet.com.au for the 2016 Group 1 Queensland Oaks on June 4. The staying filly was forced to do plenty of work last start and looks a natural win chance next week.
Luckygray hoping to turn back time in Belmont Sprint
Luckygray is attempting to become only the third horse to win the $150,000 Belmont Sprint on two occasions and it will be hoping to reinvent itself this Saturday.
The 2013 Belmont Sprint winner is now trained by Trevor Andrews, having previously been with Gino Poletti, and injuries have forced it to sit on the sidelines.
The eight-year-old returned from a one-year injury layoff last start in the Group 3 Roma Cup and Andrews was pleased with the effort.
“I was super pleased with his effort in the Roma Cup and he has come through the run really well,” Andrews said.
“He was probably a little unlucky when he got held up because he likes to be out wide and running home, but he hit the line really well.”
Andrews is concerned about the second-up syndrome which affects ageing sprinters and admits Luckygray will need to be at its best.
“I’m pretty mindful second up over 1400m after such a long break,” Andrews said.
“They can race super fresh and the edge can come off them, but he is the fittest that I can have him and he is so genuine.
“He will need to be at his best but he had a good gallop on Friday and Shaun [O’Donnell, jockey], who rode him, was pleased with his work.
“All that is needed is a bit of luck.”
Frankel looking to keep its unbeaten run in tact
Champion thoroughbred Frankel was unbeaten on the track and now its progeny will be looking to keep its perfect record in tact.
Frankel’s first colt Cunco was able to score nicely on debut for trainer John Gosden and the media attention surrounding the high-priced runner was immense.
“Cunco had 20 lenses pointing in his direction and that was just in the saddling boxes, so you could say there was some interest. It’s a great story and great for racing that he won,” Gosden said.
This week sees the running of Frankel’s second colt, Majoris, which is trained by Hugh Palmer and will run at Haydock this Friday at 11.40pm.
“I’ve been very happy with him, all of my Frankels are beautiful movers and they have active minds, but not silly or quirky,” Palmer said.
Both Cunco and Majoris are being targeted for the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18. With Royal Ascot already attracting media from all over the world, a potential race featuring two of Frankel’s progeny will be a big way to bring down the curtain on the carnival.
All Royal Ascot races can be bet on at Sportsbet.com.au with this Friday’s race at Haydock available early at Bet365.