Highlad (pink colours)
Kenton Wright Race Images
Barrier 18 has dampened Cambridge trainer Murray Baker's confidence with talented three-year-old Highlad for Sunday's Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.
Gun Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver has his work cut out from that barrier but Baker is anxious to see the Scott Richardson-raced High Chaparral gelding increase his career prizemoney to help his chances of securing a start in next month's Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m).
"He'll come into 14 after scratchings but it still won't be easy from there," Baker said of the draw.
"He hasn't raced for a month but he went well in a jump-out last week. He'll like Flemington, being a big track, and from here he'll go on to the Caulfield Classic in a couple of weeks' time. He'll need to bankroll a bit of money to get in."
Gun Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver has his work cut out from that barrier but Baker is anxious to see the Scott Richardson-raced High Chaparral gelding increase his career prizemoney to help his chances of securing a start in next month's Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m).
"He'll come into 14 after scratchings but it still won't be easy from there," Baker said of the draw.
"He hasn't raced for a month but he went well in a jump-out last week. He'll like Flemington, being a big track, and from here he'll go on to the Caulfield Classic in a couple of weeks' time. He'll need to bankroll a bit of money to get in."