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By Ray Hickson

It’s a question Bjorn Baker has only asked speedster Malkovich on two occasions in his 32 start career – can you run 1200m?

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

He’s started 13 times at 1000m and 17 times at 1100m for his eight wins and 10 placings, and missed a place in both 1200m attempts.

But it’ll be almost three years to the day he was last tested at six furlongs when the gelding lines up in the Group 3 $250,000 TAB Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Baker said he still feels Malkovich is at his best at a shade shorter but at this stage of the horse’s life it’s worth another shot.

“I think he’s probably not quite as sharp as he once was so the 1200m may suit,’’ he said.

“Rosehill is probably the track to do it. It’s a little hard to find those 1100m races so it’s tricky from that respect.

“Hopefully he can just do his own thing and if he is back to his best he’ll be very competitive.”

Malkovich, $4.80 with TAB on Thursday, ran third in the Listed Starlight Stakes over the Rosehill 1100m first-up from a spell but was a long way below his best when failing to beat one home in a small field at Flemington six weeks ago.

He’s been back to the trials to record his 17th win under barrier trial conditions, downing Mumbai Muse at Randwick on January 22 with Josh Parr in the saddle, and Baker has the fingers crossed he’ll bounce back.

“We’ll be positive with him, we won’t change anything, and I think Josh gets on with him the best so that gives us confidence,’’ he said.

“I was confident he would run a big race (at Flemington) and maybe in hindsight we should have been more positive but he definitely wasn’t at his best.

“Off a disappointing run you’re always scratching your head to a degree.”

Thirteen months have passed since talented filly Infatuation’s sole career win to date but Baker is quietly confident he’s found the right race to break that drought in the Vale Bill Camer Handicap (1350m).

After on pace placings behind Boston Rocks and Royal Tribute, the latter in the Gosford Guineas, she finished a gallant sixth in the Magic Millions Guineas when forced to race out of her comfort zone.

“I thought her run in the Magic Millions was full of merit, she didn’t have a lot of luck and just got speared off on the corner,’’ Baker said.

“Three weeks between runs and back slightly in trip suits. On her day she’s a high class filly there’s no doubt about that.

“This is back to Benchmark 78 grade where she gets some weight relief but it’s still an important race, it’s a great money race and she’s still BOBS eligible.

“Her work on Tuesday was excellent, I think she’s going better than ever and with Zac Lloyd on she’ll be there for a long way. Hopefully she can get back in the winner’s list.”

Infatuation runs sixth at the Gold Coast on January 13

Bjorn Baker on Pick Up The Tab (race 3): “I think he’s a nice horse, it’s not necessarily about Saturday but later on. If he can hit the line at all, once he gets up over 1400m and maybe a beyond he’s going to be a very nice horse.”

On Lady Of Luxury (race 9): “We thought this race was a good chance for her to get back into form. I’d love it to be 1300m but she’s in good order and she ran a very honest race at the Magic Millions. Hopefully they go quick enough and give her a chance to finish off.”

On Stefi Magnetica (race 10): “She galloped brilliantly on Tuesday and it was well publicised she was unlucky at Flemington and if she has luck in running she won’t be out of it. I think she is improving all the time and I’d like to think she is a stakes horse in the making.”

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