3 minute read

Longford-based trainer Barry Baker will bring just two horses to Hobart on Sunday and both will contest the first race of the day, a 1200m maiden, and he is quietly confident one of the two can win.

Both of Barry Baker's horses will have their share of support, Christopher Robin was extremely unlucky here two weeks ago and May We All rattled home to finish second in Hobart on 28 May.

"They are both going really well, they have both been a bit unlucky their past couple of runs and hopefully we can have a change of luck a get a result," Baker said.

Daughter Chelsea Baker had the choice of rides and has decided to stick with May We All while Erica Byrne Burke, who needs just one more win to outride her apprentice claim, will be aboard Christopher Robin.

"May We All is a bit of a favourite of Chelsea's and she has stuck with him for that reason.

"It's pretty hard to split them to be honest, depending on how the race is run will determine who finishes ahead of the other."

May We All is coming back from 1430m at his last run but after a little freshen up Baker expects him to run well.

"If it had of been 1400m I would have been happier but if things don't go his way on Sunday there's another race we've got earmarked for him if they are a little sharp over the 1200m."

Anyone who saw the run of Christopher Robin in Hobart a fortnight ago would have jotted his name into their black book, the 4YO was back near last around the home turn and was badly held up for a run all the way down the straight. He finished fifth, beaten just over a length. That was over 1100m, and it looks like he will relish the extra trip.

"It was a very frustrating watch, he was quite good and quite strong, and hopefully (this time) we can get a crack at them."

Christopher Robin has drawn barrier 16 but will come in five spots if the emergencies don't get a start. With the track likely to be rain affected, that might not be too much of a disadvantage.

"It's probably not that bad and depending on what the track is like they may head out a little wide, we'll just have a to wait and see and I'll leave that to Erica, we will have a bit of a discussion and hopefully she can get in a get a position and something can happen from there."

Christopher Robin really caught my eye last time and I think he is a great each-way bet in the first of the day while promising mare Ole Ola should round out the day for punters in the last, a BM60 over 1600m.

Ole Ola has been in sparkling form at her past two runs and should complete a winning hat-trick.

It's an early start with the first getting underway at 11:00 and the last of nine at 16.05. All races can be seen on Sky Racing and TasracingTV.