Bjorn Baker might be enjoying the friendly rivalry with two of his fellow Warwick Farm trainers but come start time in the Queensland Oaks, there will be no love lost.
The south-western Sydney track is home to the top three fillies in betting for Saturday’s Group 1 staying contest – the Gary Portelli-trained $3.50 favourite Fireburn, well-backed $4.50 second elect Renaissance Woman for Baker, and Affaire A Suivre ($6) from the Ciaron Maher yard.
The trio are the only horses in the 18-strong field at single-figure odds and their trainers are enjoying the build-up.
“It’s a little bit of a battle with the Warwick Farm trainers,” Baker said.
“You’ve got Portelli, Maher and me, so there will be a bit of banter all week.”
The trio had mixed fortunes at the barrier draw, Fireburn drawing barrier 16, Affaire A Suivre 13 and Renaissance Woman gate six.
Fireburn had the measure of Renaissance Woman when they clashed last start in The Roses (2000m) at Doomben, but the latter was a stylish winner of the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at her previous start.
While conceding Fireburn will be hard to toss, Baker expects Renaissance Woman to appreciate a distance rise and the roomier Eagle Farm track.
“She came through her last run really well and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” Baker said.
“The 2200 should suit her.
“She definitely deserves her place, and she hasn’t done too much wrong, but Fireburn and those horses will be hard to beat.”
Affaire A Suivre arrives with fresh form lines having not raced since capturing the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in April.
While her six starts have been in Victoria and Adelaide, she has been prepared for her Queensland Oaks tilt at Maher’s Warwick Farm base, the stable keeping her up to the mark with a recent 1250m barrier trial at Hawkesbury.
Baker, Portelli and Maher are all chasing their first win in the fillies’ feature.
