Wide barrier won’t hinder Queensland Oaks favourite Imposing Lass in The Roses

BJORN Baker believes Queensland Oaks favourite Imposing Lass has plenty up her sleeve and he isn’t perturbed by a wide barrier in The Roses.

BEN DORRIES

less than 2 min read

May 20, 2016 - 2:00PM

Imposing Lass (middle) proves too strong for Self Esteem in the recent Gold Coast Bracelet. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

BJORN Baker believes Queensland Oaks favourite Imposing Lass has plenty up her sleeve and he isn’t perturbed by a wide barrier in The Roses at Doomben.

The Sydney trainer is in red-hot form and his strike rate since October last year is the best of 173 trainers who have had 100 winners or more in that period.

He is also enjoying stunning success in Queensland with recent winners including Imposing Lass, Winning Rupert and Coolring.

Filly Imposing Lass is the $5 favourite for next month’s Group 1 Oaks after four wins in a row, including her last-start win in the Gold Coast Bracelet.

But she has drawn barrier 18 in The Roses on Saturday and the equal $5.50 favourite will jump from 14 at best.

“I’m not too worried about the barrier because she had has natural speed and she had plenty up her sleeve when she won last time,’’ Baker said.

“I thought she was a bit vulnerable last start going to 1800m after two soft wins, but she could not have been more impressive. Her work has been terrific this week and she is a filly with a good presence who is hard not to like.’’

Baker has other leading chances at Doomben on Saturday including Coolring ($6.50 in the BRC Sprint) and two-year-old Baltic Whisper ($6.50 in the Hampden Stakes).

“I haven’t done a lot with Coolring since his win in the Prime Minister’s Cup because he is rock hard fit. He has match fitness on his side and I’m quietly confident he can keep raising the bar,’’ Baker said.