By Craig Kerry
Bjorn Baker believes Robusto would have been “very hard to beat” in the $2 million Magic Millions Cup on Saturday, had he qualified.
But the way his team has been going of late – and with the $500,000 The Lakes at Wyong as the fallback plan for Robusto – the Warwick Farm trainer is not complaining.
Robusto storms to victory in The Ingham at Randwick on December 14. Credit: Getty Images
Baker is third in the NSW and Sydney premierships with 65 and 30 winners respectively and his stable is striking at a remarkable 36 per cent with its past 50 starters.
“I guess it’s a lot of things coming together,” Baker said. “Everything is working really well, and I just hope it can continue … for a few more days at least.”
On Saturday, Baker will have eight runners on the $14.5 million Magic Millions card at the Gold Coast, while Robusto – one of his summer stars – will headline a strong team at Wyong’s inaugural stand-alone program.
From gate seven, Robusto is a $3.90 Sportsbet favourite for The Lakes (1600m), which is plan B after his close second in The Buffering at Eagle Farm last start. The five-year-old, coming off his upset victory in the $2 million The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick, needed to win that race to make the Magic Millions Cup.
“I think he would have been very hard to beat in that,” Baker said. “But he just found one better on the day. But the Lakes is not a bad consolation race.”
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker.Credit: Getty Images
A Churchill gelding bred by the Ingham family, Robusto was a $160,000 buy for Darby Racing in September and has since won almost $1.3 million in just six starts for Baker.
“He’s been a phenomenal find for Darby and myself, and he’s had a great campaign,” Baker said.
“I think the mile should suit. He’s got a bit of an awkward gate, but his work on Tuesday suggested he’s going as good as he has the last couple, and he’s really the form horse in the race.
“He’s been up for a while – this is his 10th run – but there’s nothing to suggest he’s not in good form.”
Baker also has seven-year-old Highlights ($8.50) in the feature. He was a close third last start over 1400m at Randwick in 100 benchmark grade. Winona Costin rides from gate six.
“He’s fourth up at a mile and going really well,” Baker said. “His last run was excellent and has him back on track, and I think from a good gate he can get a good position, and he’s not out of it.”
Baker could start as many as six favourites at the meeting, including Iowna Merc, which was a last-start winner of the listed Canterbury Sprint. He is $3.30 for the fourth.
“He’s also in a race in Melbourne, but I’m leaning towards him going to Wyong,” he said.
“He’s got a really good turn of foot, but the 1350 [metres] will be a question mark, and he’s got a fair bit of weight. But if he can relax and find his feet, he can definitely finish off over the top.”
Namaste (race one), Bonita Queen (race five) Point And Shoot (race six) and Sandpaper (race nine) were others at the top of markets. Point And Shoot, though, may not run because of a wide draw.
“I think Namaste is really promising,” Baker said.
“He’s a very good looking son of Savabeel, and I think he’ll run really well. Bonita Queen is a very fast mare. She’s trialled well and her work at home has been excellent. She’s got an awkward gate but a lot of natural speed, so she should be able to put herself there.”
In the $3 million headline races on the Gold Coast, Baker has O’ Ole in the 2YO Classic and unbeaten fillies Dance To The Boom and Arriving Home in the Guineas. The repaired Gold Coast track, which was out of commission last week because of a poisoned section, was given the green light on Thursday.
“From gate three, O’ Ole should be able to jump and put himself right there, probably right behind the speed, so looking forward to being a live chance in a very tough race,” Baker said.
“Dance To The Boom was a very good winner of the Gosford Guineas and is an exciting filly. Regardless, she will go on to better things, as will Arriving Home. She’s drawn slightly better and should be able to get into a good position midfield.
“Shalaa Gold is capable of overcoming a bad gate and I think Battleton is a sneaky hope in a big race. Shalialed was very good last week on the back up, so hopefully some of them can get a piece of it. It’s just good to have a lot of runners on a big day.”
