Stable heavyweights Samadoubt and Champagne Cuddles will be home in their boxes this weekend but small fish will be sweet for trainer Bjorn Baker if one of his two runners gets the cash at Randwick.
Baker confirmed Group One winner Samadoubt would head to the Craven Plate (2000m) on Saturday week, while Champagne Cuddles would tackle the Everest consolation, the Group Three Sydney Stakes (1200m) on the same program.
With his stars having the week off, Baker will rely on last-start winner Miss Invincible and backmarker Ballistica, who clash in the Drinkwise Handicap (1100m) on Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes program.
“They’re both in really good order,” Baker said.
“Ballistica has drawn a good gate for her (14) and drawn wide might be the place to be late tomorrow.
“Miss Invincible is in really good order as well and Nash Rawiller sticks with her after winning last time.
“It looks a tough, even field but you’ve got to be in to win on a big day.”
Baker will have more than a vested interest in the main race in which his father, renowned New Zealand horseman Murray, will saddle up Quick Thinker and Rhaegar.
Murray Baker, who now trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, won the 2012 Spring Champion with Dundeel and while Rhaegar is an outsider, Quick Thinker is regarded as one of few threats to favourite Shadow Hero.
The three-year-old made a winning Australian debut on a heavy track in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) and was having his first run in almost a month when a solid third to Shadow Hero in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m).
Fellow trainer Chris Waller will take two of his three Everest contenders to Randwick for a 1000 metre race day gallop on Saturday.
With James McDonald in Melbourne, Jason Collett will warm the saddle aboard Arcadia Queen while Glen Boss will get his first sit aboard Yes Yes Yes, who was announced as the slot holder for Chris Waller Racing on Thursday.
Boss, who combined with Waller to win the Epsom Handicap on Kolding, has been booked to partner Yes Yes Yes in the Everest.
