Mongolian Khan
Bruno Cannatelli
Murray Baker has a runner index for the weekend most trainers could only dream of.
But as ever, the Cambridge trainer is taking what potentially could rate as yet another red-letter day in his decorated career all in his stride.
"We've got some good chances in some pretty good races but we're not carried away with it," said Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman.
At Rosehill, Baker will saddle Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), then a race later prepare last-start Gr.1 Futurity Stakes winner Turn Me Loose for the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Back home, Baker and Forsman have Mime and Coldplay as leading chances for the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m), while in-form filly Tomelilla tackles the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Saint Emilion rates as a strong winning chance in the Listed Lincoln Farms New Zealand St Leger (2500m).
Charmont and Luna Rossa contest support races, while at Te Rapa the stable will be represented by Okanagan, Del Rios and Elusive Gold.
But there's little doubt that the stable's spotlight is focused on Sydney, where Turn Me Loose and Mongolian Khan will bid to add to their already bountiful harvest of Australian stakes this season.
"Mongolian Khan has improved greatly. We're very happy with him," Baker said from Sydney.
"He trialled nicely last week. We just let him run around at Warwick Farm and he's not far off top fitness. He might need another run yet but I expect him to go a good race."
Should reigning New Zealand horse of the year Mongolian Khan race to Baker's satisfaction on Saturday, he could back up in the Gr.1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill seven days later.
A start in the $A3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 2 awaits Turn Me Loose, who first takes on Winx, Press Statement, First Seal and Kermadec in a vintage edition of the George Ryder.
"He's going well and we're very happy with the horse. I hadn't seen him for three weeks before I arrived in Sydney yesterday and he looks terrific," Baker said.
"But we're taking on a strong field - Winx, Press Statement, who's supposed to be the best three-year-old over here, Hucklebuck - and it doesn't end there. Providing he runs well, he'll be in the Doncaster."
Baker is banking on conditioning as his biggest asset as he prepares to confront New Zealand Oaks favourite Sofia Rosa with his talented fillies Mime and Coldplay.
"Sofia Rosa will take some beating but both our fillies have trained on well and they have both got a good base fitness for 2400m. They have got the mileage under their belt." - NZ Racing Desk.
But as ever, the Cambridge trainer is taking what potentially could rate as yet another red-letter day in his decorated career all in his stride.
"We've got some good chances in some pretty good races but we're not carried away with it," said Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman.
At Rosehill, Baker will saddle Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), then a race later prepare last-start Gr.1 Futurity Stakes winner Turn Me Loose for the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Back home, Baker and Forsman have Mime and Coldplay as leading chances for the Gr.1 Wellfield New Zealand Oaks (2400m), while in-form filly Tomelilla tackles the Gr.2 Go Racing Syndications Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Saint Emilion rates as a strong winning chance in the Listed Lincoln Farms New Zealand St Leger (2500m).
Charmont and Luna Rossa contest support races, while at Te Rapa the stable will be represented by Okanagan, Del Rios and Elusive Gold.
But there's little doubt that the stable's spotlight is focused on Sydney, where Turn Me Loose and Mongolian Khan will bid to add to their already bountiful harvest of Australian stakes this season.
"Mongolian Khan has improved greatly. We're very happy with him," Baker said from Sydney.
"He trialled nicely last week. We just let him run around at Warwick Farm and he's not far off top fitness. He might need another run yet but I expect him to go a good race."
Should reigning New Zealand horse of the year Mongolian Khan race to Baker's satisfaction on Saturday, he could back up in the Gr.1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill seven days later.
A start in the $A3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 2 awaits Turn Me Loose, who first takes on Winx, Press Statement, First Seal and Kermadec in a vintage edition of the George Ryder.
"He's going well and we're very happy with the horse. I hadn't seen him for three weeks before I arrived in Sydney yesterday and he looks terrific," Baker said.
"But we're taking on a strong field - Winx, Press Statement, who's supposed to be the best three-year-old over here, Hucklebuck - and it doesn't end there. Providing he runs well, he'll be in the Doncaster."
Baker is banking on conditioning as his biggest asset as he prepares to confront New Zealand Oaks favourite Sofia Rosa with his talented fillies Mime and Coldplay.
"Sofia Rosa will take some beating but both our fillies have trained on well and they have both got a good base fitness for 2400m. They have got the mileage under their belt." - NZ Racing Desk.
