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By Ray Hickson

A date with the likes of Via Sistina and Fangirl could be Bjorn Baker’s reward for hardy galloper Robusto if he can shoulder a record weight to win Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Asahi Super Dry Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Baker said there are plenty of options for the five-year-old, winner of the Group 2 The Ingham last spring, through the next few months and he may turn up in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) run on August 23.

Robusto carries the 60kg as he did when runner-up in the Winter Stakes two weeks ago and meets the winner Estadio Mestalla 3kg better for a 1-1/2 length margin.

In its relatively short history, no horse has carried more than 58kg (Order Again in 2021) to win the Winter Challenge but Baker said the gelding, $3.50 with TAB on Wednesday, is a good weight carrier on target to peak.

“He’s going really well, he’s up to full fitness now and he’s got a good gate,’’ Baker said.

“I think he should be very competitive, it looks a good race for him.

“We now he can keep going through a long preparation. If he does go well we could look at a race like the Winx Stakes with fitness on his side.”

A defence of his title in The Ingham is also pencilled in for the end of the year.

In the Winter Stakes, Robusto was checked out of a run at the 300m and was again crowded near the 150m before charging into second place in an effort that pleased Baker after his Stradbroke attempt first-up was a non-event.

“We were hopeful he would run well last time, he was very unlucky but that’s the game and he’s well placed for this week,’’ he said.

“I think he should be a great chance, I got more confidence the way he galloped on Tuesday.”

Baker said stablemate Thunderlips will provide a worthy back up to Robusto after finishing fourth in the Winter Stakes.

The gelding settled midfield in that race and made his run around them and Baker suggests they’ll attempt to be a little more prominent from a wider gate.

“I thought he was good, he was on the back up and he’s been running well. I can’t fault him and we’ll look to be positive,’’ he said.

Sprinter Disneck was a revelation last summer as he strung three 1200m wins together at Randwick and the Schweppes Sprint (1100m) is his starting point.

While the four-year-old’s heroics all came in the eastern suburbs he has won at Rosehill and Baker said his racing style means he’ll be relying on speed up front.

“He’s coming along well and he needs a good track,’’ he said.

“Whether he will need the run a touch first-up might be the case but I’m happy with him and he’s in for a good prep.

“The key is to shut him down early, we know from experience he’s got to be allowed to finish off.”

Both Highlights and War Eternal resume in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m) and Baker is a little reserved about their winning chances – for similar reasons – though is expecting the duo to preview a fruitful campaign.

Highlights has been placed once in nine first-up attempts, and history says he hits form after a couple of runs, but he’s won both trials leading into his first-up run.

“I think he’s going well and he might be a bit more forward than he’s been in the past,’’ he said.

“He’s not out of it with the good gate and the claim but generally he takes one or two to get underway.”

War Eternal hasn’t raced since he started favourite in last year’s Winter Challenge with soundness issues keeping him off the scene and he’s zero from five when resuming.

Robusto runs second in the Winter Stakes

Baker suggests he’s the better chance of the two.

“He’s actually trialled really well and on his best form he’s a hope,’’ he said.

“Maybe he’s a horse that will be better with a bit of cut in the track. He’s forward, he’s got a good gate and we’ll look to be a little positive with him.”

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