VRC Derby winner Lion Tamer is in doubt for the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m).
The Kiwi colt couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) by a widening six and a half lengths.
However, co-trainer Bjorn Baker has confirmed that Lion Tamer has only just returned to work after cutting his hock while spelling.
“He’s no chance for The BMW and is doubtful for the AJC Derby,” Baker told Just Horse Racing.
“He’s nominated for the Doncaster (1600m), but that’s very unlikely.”
“We may look at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Doomben Cup and the Queensland Derby are possibilities depending on how quickly he comes up.”
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) are both run at weight for age and would provide a good test for the emerging stayer.
In brighter news for the stable, boom galloper We Can Say It Now is progressing nicely ahead of a first up tilt at the Group 1 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) in mid-February.
The Sprint has been the starting point for many successful Kiwi “invasions” with past winners including Seachange (2008), Sunline (2001, 2002) and Veandercross (1993).
Baker hopes that it can be a similar story for We Can Say It Now.
“She’ll go to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), but after that we’re not sure,” Baker said.
“She will probably go to the Group 1 three year old fillies race at Rosehill on Slipper Day (the Storm Queen Stakes).”
“She’s nominated for the Doncaster, but all depends on how she goes first up in New Zealand.”
Lion Tamer and We Can Say It Now are part of one of the strongest New Zealand contingents to tackle the Sydney autumn carnival in recent years.
Watch Just Horse Racing this week for a further update on the New Zealand autumn team.
Bjorn and his co-trainer, father Murray, are likely to have the largest team in Australia.
In addition to Lion Tamer and We Can Say It Now, the Bakers are planning on campaigning Caulfield Cup placegetter Harris Tweed, Sydney Cup placegetter Mr Tipsy and NZ 2000 Guineas placegetter Twilight Savings in different races across Australia.
Harris Tweed impressed punters with his strong second in the Caulfield Cup as well as his fighting fifth in the Melbourne Cup and is well overdue for a big race victory.
“There is a chance he may go to Melbourne for the Australian Cup, but his main aim this autumn is The BMW at Rosehill on Slipper day,” Baker said.
Mr Tipsy had been out of form before his strong victory last start in the Marton Cup.
“He goes to the Wellington Cup (2400m) next weekend,” Baker said.
“He needs it wet, so unless it pours with rain, he’s doubtful for Sydney.”
“However, we are considering the Tasmanian Cups (Hobart and Launceston) for him.”
Consistent three year old filly Twilight Savings has impressed with her placings in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
She is being groomed as a sprinter-miler and will resume in the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham tomorrow.
“We have entered her for the Newmarket (1200m) at Flemington but we haven’t really considered it, the Kewney Stakes on the same day is the main aim initially,” Baker said.
The Bakers have arguably been the most successful Kiwi trainers in Australia over the last three years.
This includes wins in the AJC Derby (Nom du Jeu), VRC Derby (Lion Tamer) and Tulloch Stakes (Harris Tweed), as well as placings in the AJC Derby (Harris Tweed), Caulfield Cup (Nom du Jeu, Harris Tweed), Sydney Cup (Harris Tweed, Mr Tipsy) and AAMI Vase (Lion Tamer).
Harris Tweed has also run fifth in the last two runnings of the Melbourne Cup.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
