Belclare a Hot chance to chase western riches

Belclare can book her spot on a plane to Perth if she gets one over rival Magic Time for a second time in the group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker is already taking stable gun Overpass back to the west and knows Belclare would more than hold her own.

Belclare is top pick in the Hot Danish.Credit: Getty Images

The seven-year-old mare broke through for her first Australian win at Randwick last start, holding out Grahame Begg’s Magic Time in the $2 million Invitation. Makarena was third before coming out and running a close fourth in the Golden Eagle.

“It’s a tough race again,” Baker said. “Magic Time is a high-class mare, but Belclare is in really good order. She’ll be positive and put herself there, and hopefully take the luck out of it.

“We’ll see what happens, but maybe we’d consider going to Perth with her. I’ve won the Quokka twice and Winterbottom with Overpass.

“Overpass is in the Champions Sprint [at Flemington]. It’s a tough race, but he’s won down the Flemington straight before, and he’ll head back for the Winterbottom should all go well this weekend. As for Rosehill, Belclare is probably our best hope.”

Last-start winner Iknowastar will tackle the Sydney feature Five Diamonds, along with stablemate Amor Victorious, and Baker said the only question mark was whether the pair would see out a strong 1800m.

Iknowastar clung to victory over Territory Express – the early Five Diamonds favourite – last start on a track that was favouring horses that led or were on the speed.

“I’d be leaning towards Iknowastar, the barrier blanket goes on, which will help him jump,” Baker said.

“He’s missed the jump from time to time, even last time he missed it slightly, and from gate one [on Saturday], you can’t afford to do that.

“He was very good last time, and he only knows one way, which is to grab the bit mid-race and really charge.

“We’re hoping he can jump well and do everything nicely, and if he can get into that nice cruising speed he’s got, he’s not without a hope.

“Amor Victorious had a nice enough run in the same race last start to finish closer. The blinkers come off this weekend, so hopefully that helps him relax a bit better.”

Gimcrack Stakes runner-up O’ Ole runs in an excellent edition of the $1m Golden Gift and has trialled nicely.

“She’s a high-class filly who will run well on Saturday,” said Baker, whose Ole Kirk youngster is rated a $5.50 hope.

“There are a few chances in the race, but she has really good race-craft for a young filly. She has good gate speed, we’ll be positive and hope for the best.”

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