3 minute read

The Bjorn Baker stable has celebrated their first weekend city winning double since relocating to Warwick Farm with Mr Tipsy again saluting in the Markey Saddlery Handicap at his new home track.

Less than two hours after stablemate Havana Rey chalked up his third metropolitan success, Mr Tipsy ground out a second straight victory by claiming the Benchmark 85 Markey Saddlery Handicap (2200m).

The win gave Bjorn Baker his first weekend metropolitan winning double since moving his training operation from New Zealand to Warwick Farm early this season.

“It is like a dream at the moment,” Baker said.

“It is going well.”

While Havana Rey cruised away for a 2.5 length win in the opening race of the program, Mr Tipsy had to work a fair bit harder for his second straight victory.

Mr Tipsy was able to box seat from the inside draw under the guidance of apprentice hoop Lauri Wray as race favourite Sour Mash set the tempo.

The Chris Waller-trained runner looked to be travelling well on turning however Mr Tipsy stuck to his task in the straight, levelling up within the final furlong.

Baker's Montjeu gelding then proceeded to edge clear from the favourite on his way to a long neck win.

With Sour Mash second it was then daylight to the Peter Snowden-trained Peck in third.

Trainer Bjorn Baker was confident of Mr Tipsy posting consecutive successes this afternoon with the former kiwi based trainer pleased with the seven-year-olds return to form.

“I said last week this horse is very special and he has just gotten into the groove,” Baker said.

“He has taken a long time to get there and he has been behind in his fitness. I was pretty confident today. I thought he was as good as last week. He has only backed up once before this and he won very well in New Zealand.

“I was waiting for him to hit a flat spot at the 800m but it never came. He is a good horse, he dropped half a kilo from last week and on a wet track he had to be some sort of chance. He is a very special horse.”

Apprentice jockey Lauri Wray has ridden Mr Tipsy for the majority of his latest campaign and is beginning to form a good association with the son of Montjeu.

“Drawing [barrier] one I didn't want to throw away my advantage of having that draw so I made them work to cross me,” Wray said.

“He was too good. He is a good horse and he has found form again.”

From 39 starts Mr Tipsy has now recorded 11 wins and nine minor placings.

While Mr Tipsy has shown a return to winning form in the past eight days, the seven-year-old initially rose to prominence in Australia during the 2009 Sydney Autumn Carnival where he placed in the Sydney Cup behind Ista Kareem.