By John Schell
Trainer Bjorn Baker will attempt to boost his claims of winning the Big Dance at Randwick in November when he sends around two strong chances in the $150,000 Dubbo City & Gilgandra Toyota Dubbo Gold Cup (1600m) on Sunday.
Baker has Thunderlips (Rachel King) and Hollywood Hero (Ashley Morgan) set to line up in the feature event, while he has a number of other leading contenders going around on the day.
“Thunderlips has some great form alongside his name,” said Baker.
“He comes into this on the back of a last start third at Randwick. He’s a talented horse and should run well again.”
Hollywood Hero will tackle the Dubbo Cup on the back of a last start eighth at Randwick. He was a winner of the Coonamble Cup last year and was midfield in the Big Dance.
“They are at the top of their game,” Baker said leading into the stable Big Dance stars tackling the feature races.
“Hollywood Hero couldn’t be any better than he is. He looks set to run well.”
Baker is in for a big day at Dubbo with a number of leading chances set to race.
In addition to the runners in the feature events, Baker has Ahellbenda in the Tommy Toyota Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1400m).
He also has No Second Thoughts in the Martins Collins Australia Benchmark 66 Handicap (2200m), as well as Broadway Follies (Zac Lloyd) and Can Do Canto (Olivia Chambers) lining up from a wide barrier in the Toyota Tundra Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap (1300m).
Opito Ballenrina will be ridden by Rachel King in the XXXX Gold Vincent Gordon Flying Handicap (1100m), with the galloper heading into the event of the back of a last start of win at Kembla Grange.
“She has a pretty good record with four wins from 24 starts,” said Baker.
“It was a narrow win at Kembla last time out but she should run up to that in this race. She’s won four races and she should run well again. She’s always been consistent.”