Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to start planning early for a TAB Everest campaign with gun colt Ozzmosis.
There’s already plenty expected of the star three-year-old in the Group 1 $1 million Kia Ora Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday and if he passes that test as Baker hopes it will be a first step toward an Everest slot.
Newgate, which bought into the colt after his second career win, has a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest so Ozzmosis would be a natural fit.
“We’d love him to go really well and be able to force his way into the Everest early,’’ Baker said.
“If we could do that it would take a bit of pressure off as to where we go into the spring.
“He’s a very lightly raced horse, if we can get him back in the spring he’s only going to be better again.”
Ozzmosis, $4.40 with TAB on Friday for the Galaxy and $11 in the TAB Everest, hasn’t raced since his dominant Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes win in November and Baker has been very deliberate about his autumn preparation.
He said The Galaxy is an ideal starting point with a view to next month’s $3m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
“He didn’t have a big break in the spring and that was only his second preparation when he won the Coolmore,’’ he said.
“As much as you’d like to be everywhere and be in these big races, realistically you’ve got to pick and choose. The key was to give him a good break and start again.
“He’s definitely had that and he’s come back bigger and stronger. He’s run well at Rosehill before and I think it looks a pretty good race for him.”
Baker has given Ozzmosis two trials and a race day exhibition gallop and said from a fitness point of view he’s where he wants the colt.
The last three-year-old to win The Galaxy was Russian Revolution in 2017, he carried 51kg while Ozzmosis has 53kg to contend with.
The Warwick Farm trainer is not overly concerned about a slightly awkward barrier and said Rachel King knows the horse well so isn’t going to overthink things that are out of his control.
“We’re aware there’s no nowhere to hide, you’re up against the big timers,’’ he said.
“I think he’s had a good break. No doubt when they come back you’re always a little nervous whether they’ll run up to his best but if he does he will be very competitive.
“He’s got exceptional gate speed, he’ll be able to put himself in the first four comfortably enough.
“He gets a little bit of weight relief off some of the very well performed sprinters up the top. You could argue this race has as much depth as any sprint race this season.
“If he’s going to progress on to a race like the TJ Smith he’s going to have to perform.”
– Racing NSW
