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Trainer Bjorn Baker is not quite ready to trust imported galloper Dreamflight just yet but says on the back of his best Australian run the platform is there for him to repeat it at Randwick on Saturday.
Another of the Bjorn Baker s stable's stayers to have been schooled over some jumps in an effort to sharpen their resolve, Dreamflight has the chance to earn the trainer's trust in the Petaluma Handicap (2000m).
In his first six local starts the gelding didn't feature anywhere in the finish but turned it all around two weeks ago with a second placing behind Kapakiri over the Randwick 2000m.
"We've changed things up with him and it was a phenomenal run last time,'' Baker said.
"If he runs up to that he's a definitely hope, prior to that we didn't have much hope.
"It's the million dollar question, can he do it again. If he can he's going to be very competitive.
"I'd probably prefer 2400m at this stage but we haven't done a lot with him in the couple of weeks."
Rachel King is on board Dreamflight, $7.50 with TAB on Friday, again and he'll drop 4kg on that last start performance.
Shalailed is a new horse to the Baker stable and he's taking an open mind into the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200m) – but he's wary of the four-year-old's record.
That stands at one win from 13 starts, when trained by John O'Shea, but he does have a couple of Group 3 placings from the spring of 2022 against his name. So Baker knows there's something to work with.
The gelding has won both barrier trials for his new trainer.
"There's a probably a question of genuineness but he's trialled well and we're happy with how he is going,'' he said.
"It's never easy kicking off in Saturday grade but hopefully he has luck in the run and hits the line. If he does we'll be happy.
"On ability I think he's competitive but he's going to have to do everything right."
Baker is hoping five-year-old mare Rupertaar can reproduce her recent impressive trial when she returns in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m).
Her last preparation was cut short after just one run and he's wary it's been more than 18 months since her last win back in May 2022. He said Rupertaar is a light mare which is why she's only had the one trial.
"She's never been straightforward, she has one or two feet issues that curtailed her last preparation,'' he said.
"Her trial was excellent, she's got very good ability if she puts it together.
"She looks to get a good run from a good gate, she'll be able to put herself there without too much pressure and on her day she's very good."
Bjorn Baker on Lady Of Luxury (race 9): "She's got a good gate so she'll do no work and she might be able to be a touch closer. On her day she's a classy mare and we hope she can run well and get back up to the Magic Millions."
