Baykool after three on end at Caulfield
Trainer Pat Carey has his eye on a traditional three-year-old staying race with Baykool and along the way hopes to pick up a stakes win at Caulfield.
Baykool’s autumn goal is the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 after which the gelding will be spelled for the spring.
After successive wins at Cranbourne and Ballarat last month, Baykool is one of the favoured runners in Saturday’s Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield.
“I was tossing up whether he could squeeze this race in on his way to the St Leger and I think he can,” Carey said.
“He’s come through well enough after his recent wins to consider for this race.”
Importantly for Carey, Baykool has found winning form at the right time leading into the two Listed staying races.
And Carey believes he is well placed on Saturday against his own age, despite being an immature stayer.
“He’s not furnished yet but he’s up against his own age,” Carey said.
“He’s well placed against his own age and importantly most of the form is current.
“He’s an in-form horse with winning form and it’s pretty important they learn how to win which is what he’s been doing of late.”
Carey has ruled out any thoughts of taking Baykool to the Adelaide carnival after the St Leger.
“That will be enough for him in one preparation,” he said.
Baykool sits on the third line of betting at $5 on Saturday’s race with Fontein Lad ($4) the market leader ahead of Miss Strathallan at $4.60.
Carey is hoping a return to Caulfield will turn around the fortunes of Shakesperean Lass in the Mick Dillon Constructions Handicap.
Shakesperean Lass finished midfield down the straight at Flemington at her last start.
Her previous efforts at Caulfield have been a second in the W J Adams Stakes on February 4 and 12th in the Oakleigh Plate at the same track later that month.
“She was disappointing down the straight last time but she’s been disappointing a number of times down the straight,” Carey said.
“She’s got a good record at Caulfield so we’ll play with her strengths.”