Bjorn Baker remains on a high from Ozzmosis’ victory in Saturday’s Coolmore Stud Stakes but in terms of prizemoney, success for one of his four Big Dance runners on Tuesday would provide a bigger boost to his bank balance.
Ozzmosis confirmed his place at stud with the group 1 victory and took Baker to the next level as trainer.
“I don’t think I have won a bigger race in terms of my career and my standing as a trainer than the Coolmore [Stud Stakes],” Baker said. “I have won big money races like the Magic Millions and even the Big Dance, but a Coolmore is one of those races that has the reputation of being a stallions’ race.
“It takes you to another level as a trainer to have it on the resume.
“We thought Ozzmosis was a very good horse, but it’s different from thinking it to proving it as he did on Saturday. It is fulfilling as a trainer to get it right with him.
“It was great to get the job done for Darby Racing, who keep finding good horses, and Newgate Farm, because he will be the first son of Zoustar to go to stud.”
Bjorn Baker with Ozzmosis after his Coolmore Stud Stakes win at Flemington on Saturday. Credit: Getty
Ozzmosis is likely to target the Newmarket Handicap and TJ Smith next year and maybe even a trip to Royal Ascot.
The work continues for Baker with a big team at Randwick on Tuesday, headed by Iknowastar, Hollywood Hero, Wategos and Highlights in the Big Dance.
“It’s fantastic prizemoney, $3 million, so it doesn’t stop,” Baker said. “We have worked very hard to get these horses qualified and they all arrive in good form.
“We have picked out the right country cups for them, and it shows you the sort of year are having that they in this race.”
Front Page to take on Championship Sprint
Goulburn trainer Matt Dale will give Kosciuszko winner Front Page another chance at group 1 level in Saturday’s Champion Sprint at Flemington.
The seven-year-old was a dominant winner of the country slot race for the second consecutive year on Everest day and ran a time which compared favourably to the Sydney Stakes and the Everest.
He felt the run, pulling up lame, but Dale said he has recovered and is ready for the big step.
“We just gave a couple of days to get over that run, and he has bounced off it,” Dale said. “There are not many options with him other than these are the kind of races for him now.
“His work has been sharp in the past couple of weeks, and it’s worth having a crack at this race again because he was only beaten a couple of lengths in it last year.
“He has been always a good straight horse and I’m sure he will run well.”
It will look to start the week on the right foot with Cavalier Charles, which was fourth in the Kosciuszko, in the Barn Dance at Randwick on Tuesday.
“He ran fourth in the Kosciuszko last year and then was runner-up in this race and I think he will run well again,” Dale said. “He gets out to 1300m where he is more comfortable and we have been really happy with him at home.”
Racing NSW to make sure charities get donations
The three charities that had their horses scratched from Saturday’s Golden Eagle will each receive a $1000 donation from Racing NSW.
The charity aspect of the Golden Eagle saw $525,000 given to Riding for the Disabled after Obamburumai’s victory, but Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding wanted to make sure no charity missed out.
“It was disappointing to see scratchings because of injury [of Attrition, Ospeniko and Rediener] but we will honour the commitment to the selected charities as if the horse ran in the race,” Balding said.
Dryden chases second Little Dance win with Eastern Glow
Keith Dryden will look to win the first two runnings of the Little Dance when Eastern Glow lines up at Randwick on Tuesday. The Canberra trainer was delighted to be in the race with the Dubbo Cup runner-up. “It is the right race for him, I was worried he might get a call-up into the Big Dance,” Dryden said.
“He is very similar to Dream Runner, which won this race last year, and we have prepared in the same vein. He is very strong miler and from the good draw he will run a big race.” Eastern Glow is a $10 fourth pick in Little Dance betting, where Cotehele is the $3.20 favourite.
