Trainer Bjorn Baker rates his The Coast contender Arapaho as the stable’s most interesting runner of the day at Gosford on Saturday but when it comes to his best winning chance he’s split three ways.
Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos)
They are – in race order – Overpass, Flat Heaven and Parry Sound. More on them later.
Arapaho is a new addition to the Baker yard at Warwick Farm and while the trainer is still on a learning curve he’s upbeat about his long term prospects and will watch the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) with an eye on that future.
The import does hold nominations for a number of winter Group 1 features in Brisbane.
“We’re still learning about him and a lot depends on what he does on the weekend,’’ Baker said.
“I think he has a big future regardless of what happens. He’s done a pretty good job this preparation and he’s going the right way.”
The four-year-old, $8.50 with TAB on Thursday, made his Australian debut at Randwick on April 24 and was beaten 1.8 lengths by Rocha Clock over 1400m.
Craig Williams rode the entire on that occasion and gave Baker a positive review, Tim Clark rides on Saturday, so he can only expect some improvement.
“He’s a nice horse and he trialled well into it and he’s got some good form in Europe,’’ he said.
“I thought it was a tough ask 1400m first-up with him, I thought he went pretty well overall.
“I think he will get through a wet track really well too but if it was heavy it’s a bit of an unknown because he failed in it at his last run in France.
“And I think he’s fairly flexible, he has natural gate speed so he doesn’t have to get right back.”
Overpass has done nothing but win since his debut second to Gleneagles and a significant scratching from the Central Coast Handicap (1200m), where he was $3.80 favourite on Thursday, has boosted his confidence.
The colt followed his Hawkesbury debut with a game win at Orange and a dominant victory at Warwick Farm.
“Ranch Hand coming out opens it up a little bit,’’ Baker said.
“He’s rock hard fit, Josh Parr gets on with him and there’s a little bit to like about him.”
Flat Heaven and Quiet Riot represent Baker in the Tooheys Handicap (1200m) and with a wet track appearing likely he’s leaning to the former who has shown he’s closing on a win at his past couple.
The ex-Hong Kong galloper chased home Lost And Running, running the fastest last 600m of 33.01 (Punter’s Intelligence), at Randwick two weeks ago and a smaller field may help offset another outside alley.
“He was really good last time, he had to be snagged back,’’ Baker said.
“He just draws the outside every time he races, we can’t help that, but if he gets into the clear air he will be very competitive.
“I think he’s definitely going to be up to stakes grade in time, that’s my thinking, but he just has to get conditions to suit. He doesn’t have to go all the way back too, once he draws a gate he’ll be able to put himself right there.”
Quiet Riot, a half-brother to Hong Kong star Golden Sixty, will wear blinkers for the first time after he battled into sixth behind Luvoir and Exoboom at Hawkesbury last month.
Baker said based on his trial win just over a week ago the shades will suit him and he wants an improving track.
“He’ll be better with the blinkers, he’s always shown us a heap,’’ he said.
“In his trial he put the writing on the wall that he will be better in them.”
The conditions won’t worry Parry Sound as he has his third run for Baker in the Ironhorse Handicap (2100m), he was $4.60 TAB favourite on Thursday, and the trainer believes he’s just about poised to peak.
He ran third behind Mr Dependable over 1800m at Kensington on Anzac Day and is now into his distance comfort zone.
“I thought he was super last time, I actually gave him a really good push at nice odds,’’ he said.
“He has drawn a gate on Saturday and we can put him where he’s comfortable. He looks fantastic at the moment and will hit the line hard.”
– Racing NSW
