Sister act offers consolation for Bonneval

Bonneval’s spring aspirations have foundered in Melbourne but her sister can give the Baker family some consolation at Randwick.

After her unplaced Caulfleld Cup performance, one-time favourite Bonneval has been sent home to New Zealand with her Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained stablemate Jon Snow to carry the flag for the Melbourne Cup.

Baker’s son Bjorn, who runs his own successful stable in Sydney, trains Bonneval’s elder sister Imposing Lass, and he considers her a genuine hope at Randwick on Saturday.

Rain in Sydney in the lead-up to Randwick was not ideal for most of Baker’s runners, but he thought a wet track would benefit Imposing Lass in the AW Edwards Handicap (1800m).

“We know her sister gets through the wet and she’s rock-hard fit so I think she’s in with a definite live chance,” Baker said.

Imposing Lass backs up from a ninth in the Group Three Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 7.

“I think she’s probably looking for ground and I think the rain helps her,” Baker said.

Although Imposing Lass has built up her black-type on good surfaces, Baker noted she had a win and second from three starts on wet tracks with Randwick in the heavy range on Friday.

Imposing Lass was a $9.50 chance with the TAB on Friday to upset Godolphn’s Interlocutor ($1.90).

Baker also saddles up the $4.20 favourite for the Filante Handicap (1400m), but is concerned Sir Plush’s quest for a third straight win could be compromised by the downpour.

Sir Plush opened this preparation by triumphing on a heavy Rosehill track in June but the gelding prefers firmer footing.

“It’s a tough field and the rain brings another element. Some of his best form has been on the top of the track,” Baker said.

Baker plans to back Shock Alert up in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (2000m) after the gelding finished fourth over 1600m at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

“It’s an even looking field so we’ll try and get a fitness edge on some of the others,” Baker said.

Redouble has his second start for Baker after being transferred from Hawkes Racing in a Benchmark 82 Handicap (1200m) as the $5 favourite while Aanvoerder ($15) makes her metropolitan debut in a Benchmark 84 Handicap (1500m).