Stephen Baster has already played his part in one upset in a feature Melbourne three-year-old race during the autumn carnival and hopes to do it again at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Baster rides the David Hayes-trained filly Green Roller in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) on his return from a suspension for his winning ride on Ferlax in the Group One Australian Guineas.
Chasing home Ferlax in the Australian Guineas was Sheer Talent (third), Hvasstan (fourth), Bass Strait (fifth) and Philippi (sixth) – horses who will all be strong opposition for Green Roller in the small field on Friday.
Green Roller won the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) in Hobart two starts ago before dropping back in distance when second over 1600m at Moonee Valley last time out.
Baster hasn’t ridden the filly but believes it’s a “big advantage” to have won at the trip.
“Obviously it’s harder going up against the males but there’s only two horses in there that have won up to this trip and she’s one of them,” Baster said.
“She should be a good ride in the race and she’s drawn well in barrier one.”
The other horse to have won over 2000m or more is Hvasstan, who turned in arguably the run of the race in the Australian Guineas for fourth.
Baster won the C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) on the Mark Kavanagh-trained Sheer Talent two starts ago and rates him the hardest to beat.
Green Roller is one of three David Hayes-trained runners along with Bass Strait and last-start Sandown winner Gerontius.
Baster’s careless riding suspension was untimely as he had won four stakes races since he returned to Australia last month after a stint in Singapore came to a sudden end.
“When you’ve got a bit of momentum you don’t want to be getting suspended. But it’s an occupational hazard,” Baster said.
“Hopefully I can start back with a winner straight away.”
He has five Moonee Valley rides and eight at Bendigo on Saturday.
Philippi is the $2.80 favourite ahead of Hvasstan ($3.20), Sheer Talent ($3.80) and Bass Strait (4.50).
Green Roller, the only filly in the race, is at $18.
