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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Bjorn Baker can’t quite work out why unbeaten gelding Midori Beauty has an issue with the barrier stalls but is convinced a blindfold will do the trick as he re-starts the three-year-old’s career at Gosford on Thursday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Midori Beauty’s barrier woes started in a trial before he was an impressive debut winner at Gosford on October 7 but he was scratched at the barriers at his scheduled second start at Hawkesbury a few weeks later when he reared in the stalls.

Baker is confident he has changed Midori Beauty’s mind about the gates but has the fingers crossed for Thursday’s Jet Black Pavements Handicap (1200m).

“It’s quite remarkable he’s had problems at the gates because he’s got the best attitude of any horse you’ll see,’’ Baker said.

“We’ll use the blindfold, that seems to be working, and if it does work he will be very competitive. I think he is a very promising horse.”

It seemed Midori Beauty had given away an impossible start at his debut, especially around a tight track like Gosford, but he reeled off some impressive sectionals to steal a win.

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data showed he ran a last 600m of 34.32 which was three lengths faster than anything else in the race and a last 200m of 11.10.

Baker said the gelding, $2.90 favourite with TAB on Wednesday, will be fitter for a close second behind Astero in a recent trial and hopes jockey Jason Collett can make some use of barrier five if he can step away with the field.

“It was a big win for sure, I thought where he was at he couldn’t be in it but thankfully it worked out well,’’ Baker said.

“We’ll look to be somewhat positive from that good gate. I’d like to think he’s a chance to be a little bit closer.”

Wolf Queen has some work to do from a wide gate in the Aubrey Brown Lawyers Handicap (1000m) and while she was beaten first-up as favourite at Mudgee the trainer warned not to underestimate her.

She started $1.75 on a heavy track and after sitting outside the lead, and getting the better of the leader, she was left a sitting shot in the last 150m.

“I think she’s promising even though she was beaten at Mudgee,’’ he said.

“I think she ran into two handy horses, the first and third horses are pretty tough and she had to do it outside the lead first start and was probably vulnerable a touch on the wet track.

“She looks a mile better after that run, I’m really happy with how she’s come on. Her work has been excellent since.”

Midori Beauty wins on debut at Gosford in October

Meanwhile, Baker is hopeful Da Nang Star can make a positive start to his second campaign in the George Brand Terrigal Handicap (1100m) at Gosford.

The four-year-old hasn’t raced since breaking through with a maiden win at start four over 1300m at Hawkesbury in August and while he’s trialled twice for his first-up assignment Baker suspects he might find the trip a touch sharp.

“No doubt he will be better over further this prep but he’s not out of it,’’ he said.

“He’s come back a better horse and whatever he does there’s still a bit of improvement there.”

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Gosford meeting