By Nick Berney
The formidable combination of trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Josh Parr looks set to strike again in the opening event at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Baker and Parr will team up in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m), where two-year-old colt Shalaa Gold will look to go one better after being narrowly beaten on debut.
Josh Parr rides the Bjorn Baker-trained Disneck to victory at Rosehill on April 27.Credit: Getty
The duo have combined for 19 winners in their last 100 outings, making a profit on turnover of 28.9 per cent, smashing market expectations.
Shalaa Gold debuted at this track a fortnight ago, and he went down fighting behind a smart type in Emirate. He led his rivals up at an even tempo, sprinted off the top of the turn and, although beaten, he beat the rest easily.
Further, that race rated extremely well relative to the day, and his late sectional strength through the line suggested the rise in trip would pose no issue.
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will look to add another two-year-old winner to their impressive season with debutant Apex in the same race. He has moved well in two trials, and his latest heat was a high-pressure outing, giving him a solid fitness base to kick-off his career.
The John O’Shea-trained import Inquiring Minds made his Australian debut at Kembla Grange 32 days ago, and his effort was brave in a strong-form race, since producing two subsequent winners and three placegetters.
The four-year-old raced wide with cover, wasn’t suited to the sit/sprint race shape, but knuckled down hard to finish second with an improver’s action. He lines up in the Precise Air Handicap over 1600m, and punters snapped up his early price offered.
Everything about his ratings/sectional profile suggests he can only step off his last-start effort, and the rise to 1600m is ideal. The booking of James McDonald is key, and he has a favourable map for an economical run throughout transit.
Time Quest, battling for favouritism, looks like the main danger, and he resumes off a short break. He has a record of racing well fresh, and his first-up run from last campaign was solid when he raced in a stronger grade.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
