Bjorn Baker eyes winter riches with strong team for Brisbane carnival

BJORN Baker made his flying visit to Queensland worthwhile on Wednesday when he plucked barrier one for Coolring in Saturday’s Toowoomba Weetwood.

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BJORN Baker made his flying visit to Queensland worthwhile yesterday when he plucked barrier one for Coolring, who will run a warm favourite in Saturday’s $150,000 Toowoomba Weetwood.

The trainer flew from his Sydney base to help promote the Weetwood and Queensland carnival on Wednesday and chose wisely when it came his turn at the draw, picking up the coveted inside gate.

Baker is keen to make his presence felt at this year’s carnival, where he has a number of horses being targeted at feature races, headed by Stradbroke aspirant Music Magnate.

Baker is no stranger to success in Queensland, having won the 2014 Magic Millions with Unencumbered, but this is the first time he’s genuinely targeted a team at the winter.

He is enjoying his best season since setting up camp in Australia five years ago, with his 85 winners to date a big leap on his previous best of 62.

Like Peter Moody did in Victoria a decade earlier, Baker has been prepared to travel his horses to win races.

“Warwick Farm is a good base to travel horses from and racing is all about winning. If you’re winning races, you’re happy and so are your clients,” he said.

Music Magnate resumes in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, kicking off a campaign the trainer hopes can make him a serious Stradbroke player.

“He had form around the likes of Peeping and Fell Swoop earlier on and he’s trialled really well. He’s still got plenty of upside and hopefully he can take that next step now,” Baker said.

Other Queensland contenders include Oaks hope Imposing Lass and two-year-old Winning Rupert, a 4.5 length trial winner at Kembla on Wednesday.

Coolring firmed to $2.10 off the back of his inside draw and Tony Gollan electing to scratch second favourite Casual Choice after he drew 14.

Coolring is favourite for the Weetwood at Toowoomba on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

“Every preparation he’s come back better and I’m surprised how far he’s come to be honest,” Baker said. “The form around him looks strong through Malaguerra and from that gate he can take a forward position.”

Baker was happy to secure Jeff Lloyd, who rode Nom De Jeu to win the 2008 ATC Derby for his father Murray.

“Dad will probably dispute this, but I was the one who suggested Jeff take that ride, so I’m hoping we can have the same luck with him on Saturday,” he said.

Baker surveyed the new-look Eagle Farm on Wednesday morning, where horses from the John and Chris Meagher, Liam Birchley and Desleigh Forster stables took the opportunity to gallop on the course proper.

In the background, work continued on the new giant screen, which will be in action from the May 11 resumption.

Vale outed for abuse at Rocky race day

ROCKHAMPTON trainer Ricky Vale was on Wednesday disqualified for 18 months after abusing officials at Rockhampton last Friday.

Vale, who has 63 winners in the past three seasons, pleaded guilty to the improper conduct charge after he made a number of insulting comments to officials during the meeting.

“It is a serious penalty, but we can’t condone the sort of conduct he displayed last Friday,” Racing Queensland chief steward Allan Reardon said.

â–  STEWARDS on Wednesday suspended Beau Appo and Matthew McGillivray for seven days after they failed to attend apprentice school on Monday. Stewards said the suspensions were as a result of repeated infringements.

â–  RACING Victoria stewards have decided not to appeal the disqualification handed down to Peter Moody last month.

Peter Moody’s cobalt case came to an end on Wednesday when Racing Victoria stewards decided not to appeal against the trainer’s suspension. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

â–  CHAMPAGNE Stakes hotpot Yankee Rose will undergo another vet inspection tomorrow after trainer David Van Dyke reported she had mild pain in her near fore heel after trackwork on Wednesday. It follows the filly pulling a plate in her off fore foot last Saturday. She had synthetic hoof filler this week.

â–  WATERMAN’S Bay, runner-up in the past two Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth, is on his way to Brisbane, with the Victory Stakes his likely starting point.

Originally published as Bjorn Baker eyes winter riches with strong team for Brisbane carnival