He currently sits in second on the Sydney trainer’s premiership with 34 winners and Warwick Farm conditioner Bjorn Baker will be looking to add to the win column at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
Baker is four winners ahead of Godolphin trainer James Cummings, with Peter and Paul Snowden a further four back on 26.
His three-year-old Maurice’s Medad showed he had returned in good order with a flashing fourth first-up in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince when at cricket score odds. He is nominated to line up in the $400,000 Group 2 Hobartville Stakes this weekend.
The son of Maurice has shown ability at the highest level in the past, beaten only three lengths in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes last April behind Captivant. He’ll strip fitter second-up and will look to take on the likes of Group 1 winners Anamoe and Converge.
“He was very good first-up, he has always shown a lot,” Baker said.
“It’s obviously going to be a really tough race so we’re going to be up against it, but he’s in really good order.
“We’ve got War Eternal also nominated for that race, but he’s also in the benchmark 78 over 1400m which we may lean towards. We’ll play it by ear.”
Baker’s Pierro gelding Parry Sound will contest the $140,000 Listed Parramatta Cup this weekend, on the back of a close-up second in the Listed Australia Day Cup last month. The six-year-old has done a fantastic job this time in work, including a fast-finishing victory in the Group 3 Summer Cup on Boxing Day.
“He’s going really well, his run last time was very good,” Baker said.
“A few weeks in between runs and back to 1900m is probably not a bad thing for him where he’s at at the moment.
“He looks good and we’re really looking forward to Saturday.”
Baker’s Snitzel gelding Rule Of Law has not done a thing wrong since joining the stable, putting four wins together on the bounce this time in work. The four-year-old has now won six out of ten overall and will contest the Benchmark 94 over 1100m this weekend.
“He’s been a great stable acquisition and has been going super,” Baker said.
“He’s back slightly in trip here to the 1100m, but Tim Clark rides on Saturday and we are confident he will run well again.”
With Baker’s champion trainer father Murray set to hang up the binoculars at the end of the autumn campaign, his influence is not lost on the Group 1 winning horseman.
“He’s still got The Chosen One to come over and hopefully he can go well,” Baker said.
“He’s had a great career, he loves nothing more than coming here and trying to get some Australian money.
“He’s been a great influence and a big part of my career. He’s done a remarkable job.”
