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By Ray Hickson

Close seconds in both starts for Bjorn Baker have many questioning Snack Bar’s resolve but the trainer is adamant there’s cause to be optimistic about his chances at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

After an unlucky first-up placing, the former Godolphin gelding looked all over a winner before he was nailed by Axius in the last stride two weeks ago.

There’s no Axius in the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Handicap (1200m) and Baker feels the likely scenario is a bit more favourable this time around to give him the chance to finish his race off stronger.

“I think we may be a bit harsh on the other day,’’ Baker said.

“He still had an awkward gate and had to do a bit of work. At the end of the day he got beaten by a better horse.

“He’s third up, he sticks at the 1200m and has a bit of a softer gate than what he had.

“I think the key is just putting him where he’s comfortable early and maybe trying to expose him a bit later and have the last crack.”

Snack Bar, $3.90 with TAB on Thursday, won two of his first four starts for Godolphin then developed a bit of a reputation as a professional placegetter.

As a three-year-old he was Group 3 placed behind Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah in consecutive starts and Baker said his overall record tells you he has the ability to win more races.

“You have to question whether he can switch off when he’s in front but I’m still confident he can get there,’’ he said.

“If anything he’s held his form, he still looks good, and on paper it looks to be a pretty good race for him.”

There’s a chance Snack Bar’s biggest threat may come from within the Baker yard with emerging gelding Stardeel resuming in the same race.

The four-year-old comes off a heavy track win back in August and he has a close second to exciting sprinter King’s Secret in his form from that latest campaign.

“His last trial was very good. He did a really good job last preparation,’’ Baker said.

“He’s a horse that is definitely up to Saturday grade, it’s whether he might just improve a little bit with the run but he’s not out of it.

“We’d love him to go well because there’s a couple of options for him on the Gold Coast.”

Baker will be looking to boost his Magic Millions stocks with Masvingo racing for a trip north in the Spelling At Coolmore Mt White Handicap (1100m).

The Gimcrack Stakes placegetter on debut returned in the Wyong Magic Millions and ran third behind stablemate Paradoxium, who is now out of the Millions, in an effort Baker said was acceptable but Saturday’s race is pivotal.

“We’d definitely be looking for a top three finish, anything like that would be a pass mark and probably give her enough money to scrape in,’’ he said.

“I think she will be better for that first up run.

Snack Bar runs second at Randwick on December 13

“In that race at Wyong they went really hard and fast in front so I think from gate one she should be able to get a smooth run in transit.”

Rachel King, who rode Baker’s other exciting colt Warwoven to his debut win last weekend, has her first ride on Masvingo and Baker said the jockey was pleased with what she saw in trackwork on Tuesday morning.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick