Rosehill Inside Mail: Bjorn Baker’s bolter Battleton ‘going better than ever’ ahead of Saturday mission

Amor Victorious is Ray Thomas’ best bet of the day ... but trainer Bjorn Baker has warned punters not to discount another runner who’s currently priced at a juicy $16 at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker couldn’t contain his enthusiasm when discussing the chances of Amor Victorious in the Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

“I just think the set-up for Amor Victorious is ideal,’’ Baker said.

“His first-up run was very good on a day when it looked hard to lead and win.

• ‘Follow with confidence’: Amor wins in store for plunge horse

“He should be able to lead again and hopefully he gets the job done because we can think about setting him for better races.’’

Amor Victorious, coming off a fighting first-up second to the classy Tom Kitten in the Spring Preview two weeks ago, is at $3.40 in latest fixed odds markets and challenging for favouritism with dual Group 1 placegetter Ceolwulf at $3.20.

The kitten roars! 🐱

Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten is back in the winner's circle at Rosehill, as spring beckons!@mcacajamez@[e-mail]/WUWN1xzazO

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024

Baker is also keen on the chances of Shezanalister ($7.50) in the Mounties Group Handicap (1200m).

Shezanalister returns to Rosehill after her game last start third in the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Randwick won by Schwarz.

“I had Shezanalister entered for the Mona Lisa Stakes on Sunday but I’m keen to run her at Rosehill,’’ Baker said.

“She is back to a benchmark 88 race, she can put herself right ‘there’ and should be tough to beat.

Baker also has Thunderlips ($14) and Battleton ($16) entered to clash with Shezanalister but the trainer hinted he might save the former for next week.

“They are both going really well but I might wait for next Saturday with Thunderlips,’’ Baker said.

“But Battleton will definitely run and I’ve got to say he is going better than ever. He has never looked so well and I expect him to run a very good race.’’

DYLAN GIBBONS is tonight's "Jockey to Follow" at Randwick. He will try to get BATTLETON to the wire first for the second week in a row. #brilliantride
First Post: 9:10pm ET / 6:10pm PT @FanDuelTV @TVG
Entries/Free PPs: https://t.co/TqSLAPWJBLpic.twitter.com/2HXHOFBvV3

— Sky Racing World (@SkyRacingWorld) July 14, 2023

• Ray & Duff’s tips for Rosehill on Saturday: $3.40 best bet

Baker’s other stable entry is All In The Mind ($13), who contests the Campbelltown Catholic Club Handicap (2000m).

“All In The Mind can mix his form but he needs to be switched off early, you can’t niggle him at all,’’ Baker said. “The horse has done really well since his Warwick Farm win last start and he’s not out of this race.’’

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ROSEHILL BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Agita $5.50-$4.80
Race 2: Vivy Air $4.60-$3.50, Zarrose $6-$5.50
Race 3: Super Norwest $4.40-$3.40, Volcanic Love $4.80-$4.20
Race 4: Enotis $4-$3.40, First Light $6-$5
Race 5: Up And Under $4.60-$3.20 including bets of $2000 at $3.80 and $2000 at $3.60, Unusual Legacy $8.50-$5.50, Too Much Caviar $11-$7, No Drama $9.50-$7.50
Race 6: Storm Boy $2.50-$2.40, Mayfair $8-$6.50
Race 7: Autumn Glow $2-$1.75 after bets of $2225 at $1.90 and $2000 at $2, Wanaruah $8-$7
Race 8: Ceolwulf $4.60-$3.10, Amor Victorious $3.60-$3.20, Charterhouse $11-$8
Race 9: Willaidow $5-$3.80, Shezanalister $9-$7, Iron Man $17-$10, Felix Majestic $26-$13
Race 10: Briasa $4.60-$2.90

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony analyses every race at Rosehill on Saturday

EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 2,3,13,14
Race 4: 3,5,8,12
Race 5: 2,3,5,7
Race 6: 1,2

QUADDIE
Race 7: 2,5
Race 8: 5,6,10,14
Race 9: 2,4,9,12
Race 10: 2,7,10

• Saturday market movers: Runner backed from $6 into $3.80

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PRICE CHECK
Autumn Glow (race 7) and Up And Under(race 5), both from the Chris Waller stable, are the best-backed runners on the Rosehill program. Boom filly Autumn Glow, a brilliant winner on debut at this track two weeks ago, has firmed from $2 into $1.75 to win the Up And Coming Stakes after bets of $2225 at $1.90 and $2000 at $2. Up And Under has also been well backed from $4.60 to $3.20 in the Cabra-Vale Diggers Handicap, including bets of $2000 at $3.80 and $2000 at $3.60.

An absolutuely glowing win on debut to Autumn Glow at Rosehill! 🤩@[e-mail]/VANHE1rtD6

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024

• Boom filly Autumn Glow can keep party pumping for McEvoy

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TRIAL POINTERS
Storm Boy (race 6) has won two barrier trials to prepare for his San Domenico Stakes comeback. He was tested in the first trial to beat Moravia but looked a lot sharper last time out when defeating classy sprinter Caballus by more than a length. Storm Boy has been ridden to lead in both trials and his latest effort he lengthened stride nicely when challenged to win comfortably. He showed significant improvement in his second trial and is set up to sprint well fresh here.

Storm Boy (3c Justify x Pelican) strong again at 2nd spring trial.

2nd Caballus. Looking for an Everest slot.

Cafe Millenium 3rd an eye-catcher.@GaiWaterhouse1@CoolmoreAus@Darby_Racingpic.twitter.com/hC96MBsy3W

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) August 19, 2024

• Rosehill Turf Talk: Storm Boy or Gatsby’s? The answer is clear

Briasa (race 10) is a four-year-old by Smart Missile who created a big impression in his debut preparation, winning his three starts impressively, two at Kembla Grange then the Canterbury midweeks. He’s resuming and finds himself jumping to Sydney Saturday graded but he’s a talent as he demonstrated winning a Rosehill barrier trial over 900m last week. Briasa closed fast on Spacewalk in the trial to win by a half-length without being pressured. Promising sprinter who will be hard to beat.

Unbeaten four-year-old Briasa runs down @godolphin galloper Spacewalk to win a Rosehill trial on Tuesday with Princess Vittoria in third. Among those behind the placings were Emirate and Makarena. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/8JMYSbt0m1

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 19, 2024

• Shayne O’Cass’s Rosehill tips for Saturday

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SECTIONAL STARS
Zarrose (race 2) has produced storming finishes to win both starts this preparation. Her most recent effort at Randwick earlier this month was particularly impressive when she came from back in the field on the turn and unleashed a brilliant 33.23s final 600m. Her 10.7s split between the 400m to 200m as she reeled in the leaders was outstanding.

Zarrose with a big run down the outside wins the third at Randwick with @ZacLloydx in the saddle for @SnowdenRacing1!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/ufCCFA2C4A

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 10, 2024

Gatsby’s (race 6) produced a stunning burst of acceleration to put his rivals to the sword when resuming in The Rosebud two weeks ago. The Chris Waller-trained Gatsby’s sprinted his final 600m in a fast 33.48s, the best closing sectional of the meeting, as he raced away to win easily. Gatsby’s was being eased down late making his win every more impressive.

"Gatsby's eased down, different class."

A first-up statement from the promising @cwallerracing colt as Gatsby's turns the Rosebud into a one horse race beating Clear Proof with High Octane in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/hxNOJsmzyH

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 17, 2024

• Gun colt Gatsby’s has ‘come back better than I expected’

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BEST BET
Amor Victorious (race 8) has landed on a very suitable race after his fighting first-up second to the classy Tom Kitten over 1400m here two weeks ago. Amor Victorious will be fitter and will appreciate going to 1500m where he should be able to control the race from an on-speed position. He is effective second-up from a spell, he is a winner over the Rosehill 1500m and the set-up of this race suits him. Ready to win.

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VALUE
Up And Under (race 5) is getting short enough now around $3.10 but he still looks a safe bet. He was bolting behind a wall of runners in the straight when resuming and went to the line untested. He’s had a month between runs so he should still have the necessary “speed” in his legs to prove hard to beat at 1500m.

Originally published as Rosehill Inside Mail: Bjorn Baker’s bolter Battleton ‘going better than ever’ ahead of Saturday mission