Bjorn Baker sets sights on Queensland Oaks with Imposing Lass

AS the Queensland Winter Carnival lost two of its biggest drawcards, it may have unearthed a rising new star in Bjorn Baker’s Oaks-bound filly Imposing Lass.

Imposing Lass is being aimed at the Queensland Oaks. Picture: Simon Bullard

AS THE Queensland Winter Carnival lost two of its biggest drawcards, it may have unearthed a rising new star in Bjorn Baker’s Oaks-bound filly Imposing Lass.

Betting markets took a shuffle when Gai Waterhouse confirmed second Stradbroke Handicap favourite and Group 1-winning filly English was not Carnival bound.

New Zealand star Xtravagant will also be spelled and brought back for the spring, robbing the Winter Carnival of major firepower.

However there are plenty of rising stars who will on Wednesday be in the nominations for the Group 1 races over the carnival.

Baker, who has enjoyed a fabulous season, will run promising filly Imposing Lass in Saturday’s Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) as he plots a path towards the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.

Baker has not enjoyed much success in Queensland in recent seasons but says Imposing Lass may be his best chance to win a Group 1 here.

That is a big call considering he also has impressive Group 3-winning sprinter Music Magnate set for the Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke.

The Queensland Oaks, won last year by Winx, is firmly on the agenda for Imposing Lass.

“I really like Imposing Lass and I think she has a big future,” Baker said. “The filly has won three from four starts. She stepped up from provincial grade with a dominant first-up win at Warwick Farm but I think she was even more impressive in her most recent win at Rosehill.

“The margin at Rosehill was not much but it was a really tough effort because I honestly thought she would be vulnerable second-up.

Bjorn Baker is building up a strong team for the Winter Carnival. Picture: Jack Tran

“I am sure she will be an ideal Oaks filly because she is big and strong and she also has good tactical speed and she will put herself right there in a race.”

Music Magnate is also likely to be a big Winter Carnival player for Baker, although he confirmed the gelding would almost certainly run at Scone instead of the Group 1 BTC Cup.

Baker feels a Scone run will give him the best preparation for a Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke mission.

Meanwhile, Black Heart Bart moves to the second line of Stradbroke betting behind Azkadellia after Waterhouse revealed English would miss the Winter Carnival.

English had been as short as $6 in some Stradbroke markets after the three-year-old filly won the George Ryder at her most recent start.

‘’She is not injured.

“This (spelling English) is something I have been thinking about for some time,” Waterhouse said. “I will give her a good break in the spelling paddock and she will be back for the Spring. I really think that is the best thing for her.”

Originally published as Bjorn Baker sets sights on Queensland Oaks with Imposing Lass