Bjorn Baker directs attention to Doomben after stakes double on the Gold Coast

THE Bjorn Baker juggernaut is set to roll on to Doomben on Saturday with the in-form Sydney trainer confident he can continue his dream run with Winning Rupert in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes.

Winning Rupert makes a successful debut at the Sunshine Coast.

THE Bjorn Baker juggernaut is set to roll on to Doomben this Saturday with the in-form Sydney trainer confident he can continue his dream run with Winning Rupert in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes (1200m).

Baker is striking at a very healthy 21 per cent this season and continued the grand run when Coolring (Prime Minister’s Cup) and Imposing Lass (Gold Coast Bracelet) gave the stable a stakes double at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Baker was quick to turn his attention to Doomben yesterday with Winning Rupert a genuine chance to give the stable another feature win this weekend.

The Written Tycoon colt could not have been more impressive on debut at the Sunshine Coast on April 23 when he sat three wide without cover throughout and still scored by three-quarters of a length.

Winning Rupert looked as if he would improve from the race experience and Baker warned punters to expect an even better horse this weekend.

“It was a good effort to go all the way up there and the trip took it out of him but he has galloped well since,” he said.

“I was really happy with him and the form looks good with Oink running second in the Ken Russell at the Gold Coast (on Saturday).

“I think he comes up this week with a bit of confidence and I think you will see a better horse come this Saturday.”

Tiyatrolani could well be the stumbling block for Winning Rupert with Tony Gollan’s unbeaten filly likely to be popular with punters.

Boom Queensland colt Nikitas, who finished second to Capitalist in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast (1200m) in January, will also run in the Champagne Classic.

Meanwhile, Baker said Music Magnate may head north for the BTC Cup this Saturday but was more likely to run in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone in NSW on the same day instead.

“It’s probably 65-35 towards going to Scone,” he said.

“But we may have a look at the BTC Cup nominations and go from there.

“His first-up win (in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes in Sydney) was really good and no doubt he will improve.

“He has won his last three now and the form around him has been really good and we are definitely aiming towards the Stradbroke.”