Latest News

By Ray Hickson

It’s not often a trainer chooses to jump from a wide gate with their horse but Bjorn Baker is confident it will assist Shades Of Rose in atoning for a first-up mishap when she returns to Rosehill on Saturday.

The previously unbeaten filly created a sensation two weeks ago when, as favourite, she over-reacted to her saddle slipping and bucked, forcing jockey Tim Clark to pull her out the race.

Baker has done his best to put that incident behind Shades Of Rose, who had to go back to the trials and did so early last week, and reset in the FAB Industrial Logistics Handicap (1100m).

“It’s one of those things you never expect and hope doesn’t happen,’’ Baker said.

“It just slipped that little bit and she objected to it obviously. It was definitely unexpected, she hadn’t done that previously at Warwick Farm so we were disappointed and surprised.

“She’s a big, rangy, filly who is yet to fill into her frame. Hopefully she does everything right on Saturday."

Shades Of Rose, $3.40 with TAB on Thursday, will be ridden by Rachel King on Saturday after partnering the filly in her Warwick Farm trial win.

Shades Of Rose wins a trial at Warwick Farm on July 6

Baker did dual accept with the three-year-old, drawing six in a 1200m event, but said being loaded later will assist given what happened last time and while the filly has won on a heavy track he’s adamant she will be even better on top of the ground.

“I think drawing out a little bit is a good thing. Even if she is a touch slow away she will be able to go forward easy enough,” he said.

“I also think 1100m is better for her at the moment. Inside is generally the shorter way home but she will be able to roll forward and being a bit later in the day (it may be better out wide).”

The enigmatic Night Of Power returns to the scene of his last win in the Victor Ludorum @ Darley Handicap (1400m) but Baker concedes he can’t predict how the seven-year-old will perform.

He won second-up over 1500m at Rosehill on a heavy track but has been largely disappointing in three starts since, the latest beaten 5.5 lengths by Francesco Guardi in an 1800m event three weeks ago.

“Last time he definitely didn’t fire a shot but he looks good and we can’t fault him,’’ he said.

“It’s hard to know what to expect.”

Youngster Renaissance Woman comes back to town after a fast-finishing maiden win on a heavy track at Scone last week and Baker has no hesitation in backing her up in the Furphy Handicap (1400m).

“I thought it was a really good win at Scone and she’s come through really well too,’’ he said.

“I think 1400m on a demanding track will suit her a bit better as well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting