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By John Schell

Bjorn Baker is targeting a start in the Big Dance with the well performed Ita when she contests Sunday’s $100,000 Keirle's Pharmacy Wellington Cup (1700m).

Ita finished second in the Orange Cup last year and then went on to run sixth in the Little Dance in November.

“She’s a pretty well performed mare on her day and the Wellington Cup looks like a nice race for her,” said Baker.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Steve Hart)

“The 1700m looks like it will suit her, and Ashley Morgan takes the ride, and she should run very well.”

Morgan will combine with Baker for two other Wellington rides when he is aboard Happy Bellie, which debuts in the Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club Wellington Boot Showcase (1100m), and Champers Girl in the KFC Zinger Stacker Benchmark 66 Showcase Handicap (900m).

“Happy Bellie is very well bred being by I Am Invincible and out of Nayeli,” Baker said.

“She won a trial at Rosehill last October and has since finished second in each of two at Rosehill and Hawkesbury.

“She’s drawn badly, but she definitely has the ability to overcome that.”

Champers Girl is resuming from a spell in her event and has won two of her five starts, with another minor placing to her name.

“She won well at Orange on debut then failed to measure up in better grade at Gosford in city company,” said Baker.

“She resumed with a win at Queanbeyan and while she failed last time out behind Silent Raindrops, she has shown the ability to give this race a shake.

“She’s had a recent trial and finished third in that so is well worth including among the main hopes here.”

Baker’s only other runner of the day is Jamacri in the LSS Locksmith And Security Solutions Super Maiden Showcase Plate (1400m) with just 56.5 kilograms to his name.

“She’s a lightly raced filly with a very good record,” said Baker.

Satin Stiletto has been installed as an early favourite for trainer Matthew Dale in the $200,000 Wellington Boot, and the filly looks well placed on the back of two good runs in as many starts.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Wellington Cup meeting