Hawkesbury tips: Trainer Bjorn Baker has Our Anchorage in the right place for breakthrough win

Following some handy efforts in metropolitan company, trainer Bjorn Baker has found the perfect race for Our Anchorage to record his first Australian win.

European import Our Anchorage can land his first Australian win at Hawkesbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

A high rating following some solid European form hasn’t made it easy to place Our Anchorage but trainer Bjorn Baker has found an ideal race for the gelding to land his first Australian win.

The five-year-old gelding has contested Benchmark 78 races in town at his three starts and has performed more than creditably despite being unplaced.

Our Anchorage drops back to a Class 1 and Maiden Plate and will appreciate a step up to 2000m.

“It’s an ideal set up for coming back to the set weights conditions,” said Luke Hilton, Racing Manager for Bjorn Baker.

“He has only won the one race and that was a while ago so we would like to see him get his nose in front across the line.

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WATCH OUT! There's a BEAR ON THE LOOSE! 🐻

The imported galloper makes an immediate impact in Australia, winning the 10th at Rosehill for @MyRacehorse & @GaiWaterhouse1 with @nashhot in the saddle.

Goes $26 into $21 for the Caulfield Cup. pic.twitter.com/gN3dSIe0lK

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 29, 2024

“He is racing really well I feel, especially in his last two runs.

“He was caught wide in both and I think just the drop back to the mile the other day wasn’t ideal.”

The son of Galileo was less than three lengths behind Bear On The Loose and Don Diego De Vega when sixth over 1800m at Rosehill two starts back before an eighth to Ha Ha Ha over 1600m at Randwick last week after being caught three-wide.

“He was probably looking to go further but he didn’t get a run in the 1800 metre on the day so he ran in the mile race,” he said.

“I thought he was really tough and honest all things considered.

“He is highly rated being a pretty well performed European horse albeit with just one win and he placed third in a Group 3.

“He gets out to the 2000 metres that he is crying out for this weekend. He gets in the right grade and is very well weighted.

“We’re confident he will be hard to beat.”

Majorca Sunset was very good in his Hawkesbury barrier trial and is looking to make a winning start to his career in the Maiden Plate (1100m).

The two-year-old son of The Autumn Sun rolled forward to lead one off the fence before cruising home to score by nearly three length win.

"Storm Boy very impressive at the Rosehill trials."@GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott's Golden Slipper favourite, with @mcacajamez riding, easily wins his trial as expected on Thursday with the Skyline Stakes his next stop. Majorca Sunset ran second and Valabing third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/SIr16JNuA2

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 14, 2024

“He’s a talented horse. We have had a pretty good opinion of him for a little while now,” Hilton said.

“Although beaten a fair way, he did run second to Storm Boy in his first trial back in February.

“We have given him time and is one who will still get better as he gets older as well.”

Consistent filly Picasso’s Dream pleased the stable with her first-up third at Goulburn over an unsuitable distance on a wet track last month.

A handy barrier trial since has helped keep her up to the mark and she looks a good chance in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

“She progressed nicely last time in work and strung two together at the end of that preparation,” Hilton said.

“We have been waiting for a better track for her since her first-up run.

“She probably needs it a little bit further than the 1100 metres but I think it is worth having a crack at provincial grade as I think she will get there.”

Kings Castle was disappointing on debut when he beat just one home at Mudgee but Hilton expects to see a better effort in the Maiden Plate (1500m).

“He has shown us more at home than what he produced on debut. We are putting a pen through that run,” he said.

“We have put the blinkers on him and he has worked well during the week.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 2: Our Anchorage

The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding drops back from metropolitan grade to a set weights Class 1. Racing well and chance to break through.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 7: Picasso’s Dream

Consistent filly who ran well first-up and will take benefit from the run.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 4: Unwritten

Coming off a nice win at Goulburn. Drawn wide but well placed for a five-time winner.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 7, 9

Race 6: 3, 4, 6

Race 7: 2, 7

Race 8: 2, 6, 10

Rachel King could be in for a big day at Hawkesbury. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Rachel King has some nice rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – HAWKESBURY

RACE 1

Coast Guard went back to last of the five runners and was widest on straightening when third to impressive all-the-way winner Presides over 1300m at Scone on July 2. Drawn nicely and extra trip will suit. Mysterio was no match for his stablemate Presides after sitting behind him but held on for second when resuming in that same race. Strong Trade can improve off his first-up run. Ran a handy race on debut at Warwick Farm.

Bet: Coast Guard to win

RACE 2

Our Anchorage will appreciate a big drop in grade. Was kept wide outside the leader when sixth to Bear On The Loose at Rosehill three weeks ago then was three deep when eighth to Ha Ha Ha at Randwick last week. Step up to 2000m is ideal. Tajawal put in a better effort last start when fourth behind Go Troppo when stepping up to 1900m at Canterbury on June 19. Gets a nice run from the draw. Fernao and Tommy Thug have place claims.

Bet: Our Anchorage to win

RACE 3

Majorca Sunset is a debutant by The Autumn Sun from a Deep Impact mare. Was runner-up to Storm Boy in his first trial before a spell. Nice efforts in his two recent trials including a win in his heat here on July 8. Rickythesteamboat raced wide throughout when sixth to Plaza here first-up. Held up until the 200m when fourth on the Canberra Acton last start. After Match was kept under a hold when third in his Rosehill trial on July 12.

Bet: Majorca Sunset to win

RACE 4

Written Scandal is a first starter by Written Tycoon. Nice win in her Rosehill trial on June 11 and kept under a hold when a close third to Twirling in her June 28 Randwick heat. Wings Of Desire is the half-sister to Winx by Pride Of Dubai. Worked home nicely under a hold when second in her Randwick trial on June 28 then ran home smartly to narrowly win her Rosehill heat on July 12. Ausbred Mimosa goes well fresh and will be prominent.

Bet: Written Scandal to win

It's Jacob's Time! The 3yo gelding wins race 2 at Randwick on the inside! pic.twitter.com/Xh5C4QqHVP

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2023

RACE 5

Irish Anthem worked through the line strongly when third to Northern Eyes in his trial here on July 8. He has turned in some handy efforts in placing in five of his 10 starts including a close second at Randwick. Glory Start ran a bold race when a head second to Nefertari first-up here on June 18. Drawn out but won’t be far away again. Suay Mam’selle sat outside the leader when runner-up to Northern Eyes in her trial here.

Bet: Irish Anthem to win

RACE 6

Unwritten was rewarded for his consistent form in a long preparation with a win, his fifth overall, over 1200m on a heavy track at Goulburn last start. Placed second to Broadway Bouncer at his only run here. Candy Woman followed a good maiden win at Kembla on May 18 with a nose second to Merchant Lady at Newcastle four weeks later. The Extreme Cat drops inn grade from his to metro runs this campaign.

Bet: Unwritten each-way

RACE 7

Picasso’s Dream will take improvement from her first-up third at Goulburn on June 3. Has since trialled at Warwick Farm. She has never missed a place and is ready to step up to provincial grade. Rouge Lune drifted back but was caught wide throughout when resuming at Moruya. Was a three length fourth to Bandi’s Boy in the SERA Championships Qualifier back in March. Expect him to race handy from the gate. Morpheus Bragi has place claims.

Bet: Picasso’s Dream to win

RACE 8

Emancipist was held up at Kembla first-up then raced wide there when third to Vomo Island second-up. Worked home well for second to Autumnmation at Canterbury last start. Can break through for a well deserved win. Exceed Perfection is racing well with a win and two seconds this time in. Just beaten by Ambassadors after a and good battle down the straight at Newcastle. Barellan Bandit was held up for clear running near then 200m and should have finished closer behind Ha Ha Ha at Randwick last week.

Bet: Emancipist each-way