By Brad Gray
Bonny O’reilly launches her winter campaign at Rosehill on Saturday in the Your Local Greengrocer Handicap (1100m) with Bjorn Baker confident he can snare a Group win this preparation with the four-year-old.
“She’s a mare I’ve got a lot of time for and I’m excited to see her back. I think she is a good horse,” Baker said from the United States, where he’ll attend the Kentucky Derby.
“She has come back a little bit stronger again and has always taken time. I’d like to think she can get some black type over the winter with her in Brisbane.
Bonny O’reilly's recent Warwick Farm trial - April 21
“I think enough of her to nominate her in the Stradbroke. That might be overly optimistic but she’s a nice mare and is still untapped. We have looked after her and still haven’t got to the bottom of her yet.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Kentucky Derby and there is no time like the present. I’m lucky that I’ve got a really good team back home.”
Roeinda lines up in the same race as Bonny O’reilly and Baker warned punters to not discount the Lonhro mare.
“She is not out of it. If there is a horse in the stable that deserves a Saturday win it’s her. She has always been consistent, puts herself there in races and looks well,” Baker said.
Samadoubt returns as a gelding in the Freshmark Handicap (1200m) and will be looking to replicate his fruitful last campaign where he won two of his six starts and placed in a further three.
“It’s not an easy race but he is going well and looks good. I’d like to think that he has improved from his last preparation.”
“Hopefully he can just sit off them from the good draw and be strong at the finish.”
Rounding out the Baker team is another resuming galloper in Colonel Cluster who will take his place in the Everybody’s Body Handicap (1500m) despite the prospect of a firm track.
“He prefers a bit of cut in the track but you’ve got to kick them off somewhere,” Baker said.
“He has always shown ability but has been a bit hit and miss. Whatever he does on Saturday he is going to improve on and once he gets out to 2000m he’ll be a big threat.”