The lure of a Group 1 race in his adopted hometown has been enough to convince Bjorn Baker to back-up Renaissance Woman in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.
The filly arrived back in Sydney earlier this week after landing a brilliant victory at Caulfield on Saturday, coming from last on the corner and pulling away from her rivals late to capture the Ethereal Stakes (2000m).
The victory rocketed her into VRC Oaks favouritism and while the fillies’ classic is on Baker’s radar, he says the opportunity to take on the males for a $2 million purse and a valuable Group 1 win is arguably even more enticing.
“It was either this or the Wakeful Stakes, but it’s a big race on our back doorstep,” Baker said.
“In a roundabout way, the Spring Champion is bigger than the Oaks, so we will look at this Saturday first before making any decisions.
“But she has travelled back great, she looks to have worked fantastic and I couldn’t be happier.”
Renaissance Woman and Flight Stakes placegetter She’s Extreme are the only fillies in Saturday’s 2000m showpiece and both are in the market at $8.50 and $6.50 respectively.
Caulfield Guineas runner-up Elliptical is a $4.80 favourite to continue the heady run of Victorian-trained three-year-olds in Sydney after Jacquinot upset the locals in the Golden Rose and Giga Kick captured last weekend’s The Everest.
The Spring Champion represents a more significant challenge for Renaissance Woman, who was midfield in the Tea Rose (1400m) and Flight Stakes (1600m) before her Victorian raid, but Baker feels she is only coming into her own now she is being extended to longer trips.
“That’s the key for her, out in distance,” Baker said.
“It’s a big race and you can never be too confident, but she is in good form and she stays, that’s a big tick.”
Renaissance Woman has barrier nine in the field of 12 with Rachel King to ride.
