Warwick Farm preview: Key factors to help Bjorn Baker's mare Starmae
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Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track.
The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17
Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m).
'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker.
'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year.
'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp.
'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight.
'This is her race to run well.'
Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further.
'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said.
'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations.
'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.'
Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers.
The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King.
'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said.
'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.'
Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard.
'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said.
Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race.
The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker.
'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said.
'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly.
'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.'
Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m).
'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said.
'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.'
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way.
A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31.
After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled.
'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden.
'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.'
The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard.
'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said.
'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials.
'We are quietly confident she can run well.'
Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place.
'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said.
'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.'
The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m).
'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden.
'That might play into her hands a little bit this week.
'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.'
Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance is coming along but said wants further than the 1600m of the Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap.
'He will go to 1900 metres at his third start and will be better suited.'
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