By Ray Hickson
It doesn’t take a genius to realise the scenario for lightly raced mare Miss Einstein at Randwick on Saturday is looking very familiar to the last time she struck a wet track.
Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos)
Trainer Bjorn Baker says he’s been rapt with the four-year-old’s two runs back from a spell and is quick to point out a precedent from last preparation for a peak performance in the Calyx @ Coolmore Australia Handicap (1500m).
Back in September, after two promising lead up runs, Miss Einstein struck a heavy track at Warwick Farm and put seven lengths on the opposition and that’s not lost on Baker.
“Funnily enough last time she mapped exactly the same, two good races without winning then third-up she was very good,’’ Baker said.
“So it’s a similar situation. I’ve always had a good opinion of her so I’m hoping she can deliver.’’
It’s fair to say Miss Einstein hasn’t been afforded the best of luck in her two runs this campaign, particularly in the second of them.
She resumed with a fast-finishing fifth from near last at Rosehill and at her last start she was chopped out at a vital stage inside the 200m when third behind Soldier Of Love at Randwick two weeks ago.
That two length margin is a misleading one and Baker hopes Miss Einstein, $3.80 favourite with TAB, is afforded every chance to produce her best, which he believes she’s ready to do back onto wet ground.
But Baker also has what the TAB market sees as Miss Einstein’s biggest threat in promising four-year-old Bold And Wild ($5) and he warns not to underestimate him.
“She’s the lightest of athletic fillies so I always expected (a wet track) would be a good thing for her,’’ he said.
“I think she is going well, if anything the 1500m will suit on a wet track but Bold And Wild is a nice horse and very promising and it’s hard to fault his form.’’
Bold And Wild is spotting the mare a bit of fitness and more suitable set up for the rise in distance but Baker refuses to rule him out of turning her over.
The gelding has won his past three starts, including one on a soft 6, and resumed from a six month break with a tough win at Warwick Farm on April 29.
“I guess the one thing is he’s only had the one run at 1200m and is going to 1500m so she probably has a fitness edge,’’ Baker said.
“But in saying that he’s a naturally fit horse and out of an Oaks winner (Once Were Wild) and he’s a light athletic type of horse.
“He’s the sort of horse that could really get through the ground well.’’
Miss Einstein runs third at Randwick on May 9
The popular Warwick Farm trainer has a big team engaged at Randwick and he admits he isn’t sure how a few of them, the likes of Hinchbeast, Sophiella, Freehearted, Canasta and Savvy Valentino, would fare if Randwick races in the heavy range.
But $1.2 million earner Redouble will be there in the Octagonal Handicap (1400m) and Baker was encouraged with the gelding’s first-up third in the Takeover Target Stakes two weeks ago.
Redouble doesn’t have an attractive second-up record, and he has 60kg to carry, but Baker expects him to put his best foot forward.
“His first-up run was really good, he’s been a great horse for the stable and I think he looks as good as he ever has too,’’ he said.
“We’re pretty thrilled with him, I think he is going well.’’
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's meeting at Randwick