Bjorn Baker is committed to running summer staying find Cantonese at Randwick on Saturday despite an unkind barrier.
The Christmas Cup winner returns for a new campaign in the Cargo Bar Handicap (1400m) but his task won’t be an easy one from gate 18.
He will also have 59.5kg to contend with, not to mention a handy field which includes favourite Keith’s Legacy and Villiers Stakes winner All Legal.
“It’s going to be difficult from out there. He’s got a lot of weight and he’s drawn wide,” Baker said.
“But he’s in good order and he needs to run.”
Cantonese has not raced since tiring to finish midfield in the Perth Cup in January after a tough run in the lead.
Before that he careered away with the Christmas Cup by six lengths, capping a rise through the grades which began with a provincial-class win three months earlier.
This time around, Baker has set his sights a little higher.
He is considering a second-up tilt at the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury two weeks from Saturday, or the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on the same day.
Baker will also start Fuerza in Saturday’s Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m) with the youngster searching for his first win.
Third to subsequent Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep in the Pago Pago Stakes two starts ago, Fuerza was seventh in The Schweppervescence (1400m) on a slow track at his most recent run.
“He was probably a tad disappointing but he did get onto an awkward part of the track,” Baker said.
“I think Randwick will suit him better. He is a nice horse, he’s Group Two-placed and he should be right in the race.”
