3 minute read
While Bathurst training record holder Bjorn Baker typically presents with well credentialed favourites, Too Sharp - the lone runner from the Joseph and Jones stable - looks the safest bet on Thursday’s TAB meeting.
Baker, who combined with retired riding great Greg Ryan to win five races at Bathurst in late 2017, has four popular elects throughout the seven-race programme.
However, Too Sharp should be all of that - perfectly placed at $1.80 against particularly modest opposition.
"We've travelled wider for an ideal maiden that's a country bonus, he's genuine, a strong closer, out to 1400m suits and he'll likely appreciate a firmer track," offered Barbara Joseph, a Doncaster winner in 1989 in training partnership with sons Paul and Matt at the Sapphire Coast and ACT.
"He's still learning this gelding but, yes, hard to beat. It's a small field, not a lot of form in it and he'll possie closer at 1400m."
Too Sharp, a Bull Point three-year-old, contests the Elders Emms Mooney Country Boosted Maiden (1400m) with 59.5kg for Shaun Guymer and there's only a sprinkling of modest placings against him.
Close up in maidens, running on at Wagga Wagga, Sapphire Coast and Queanbeyan, Too Sharp has four placings from seven starts, mostly on rain affected ridden by Quayde Krough.
"Quayde is on honeymoon overseas, he and his long-time partner Vanessa married in the snowfields. They met while working for Gai Waterhouse," adds Barb.
Away from Bathurst, she was keen to focus on Super Helpful at Royal Randwick on Saturday and Two Aye at Goulburn on Friday.
"We've been winning some nice races this season, Super Helpful qualified for the Big Dance off his Snake Gully Cup win and he got the money for us at big odds last start at Scone,'' she said.
"He's drawn out, but we've claimed with Amy McLucas. Two Aye is promising, a terrific run at Scone, unlucky, Tyler Schiller is coming down to ride again."
Meanwhile, Baker's Canadian Ruler is $1.80 in race 3, Opito Ballerina $2.80 in the last, Flying Shelly $4 in race five and Little Baia $3.50 in the sixth event.
Typically, they've been primed by recent trials. At present Bathurst is a good 4 in fine weather with the rail out 2m from the 1200m to the 800m.
