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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Bjorn Baker admits he got it wrong when he was first given Robusto to train but he couldn’t be happier that he did.

So he’s not going to underestimate the gelding despite Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Darley Missile Stakes (1200m) being a little out of his comfort zone.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

When Darby Racing purchased Robusto, who was formerly owned by the Ingham family, for $160,000 after 29 starts the trainer wondered where he could take him.

But 10 starts later he’s won, ironically, the Group 2 The Ingham and last month’s Listed Winter Challenge and collected over $1.4 million for his new connections.

“He’s got a little more class than even I’ve given him credit for,’’ Baker said.

“I thought he’d be hard to place when they first bought him and as it is he’s just gone from strength to strength.

“I couldn’t be happier with him, he hasn’t looked better since I’ve had him.”

Robusto, $6 with TAB on Thursday, hasn’t raced over 1200m since October of 2023 though his last win before joining Baker was at 1300m just over 12 months ago.

Baker said the prospect of a heavy track should make the sprint trip that little bit more testing and given his 109 rating he’s well in at the weights – especially if Private Eye doesn’t line up.

Another honest performance in the Missile would likely encourage Baker to head to the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) in two weeks and take on some of the nation’s best horses.

“His last win was dominant and he comes into this set weights and penalty race very well,’’ he said.

“There’s some horses with current form so it’s not an easy race for him but he’s in fantastic form.

“I think regardless of what happens race fitness is going to be crucial and that definitely plays into his favour.”

It’ll likely be a race morning decision as to whether stablemate War Eternal is given his chance in the Missile having come through his second placing over 1300m at Rosehill last week in good shape.

While it was only a four horse field, Baker was rapt with how he found the line behind The Novelist in the heavy ground.

“I’d love the race to be 1400m, I’d give him a live chance,’’ he said.

“The more demanding and testing the track is he has the recent race fitness and I’m backing that to be very powerful.”

A Magic Millions campaign could be in Stardeel’s future as he looks to cap a preparation that’s seen him begin to realise his potential in the Chandon Handicap (1400m).

He’s on the back up once again after leading all the way last Saturday at Rosehill and Baker is now confident he’s ready to handle stepping out in distance again.

“It’s a big risk to go three weeks in a row,’’ he said.

“If he runs as well as he did last week he’s going to be awfully hard to catch. In terms of how he’s done since then we’re comfortable with him.

“We know he can roll along, he’s drawn wide so he will be able to go forward. He’s bringing a little bit of class and a lot of race fitness and he can get through any sort of track.”

Baker said regardless of the result Stardeel will be sent for a break and a win would encourage him to target the Magic Millions carnival in the summer.

“I still think he’s a work in progress, I don’t think he’s the finished horse yet. Hopefully this preparation gives us a base for next time,’’ he said.

Point And Shoot was a revelation in the autumn with his successive Randwick wins earning him a start in the Group 1 Australian Guineas where he started $4.20 but his chances went out the window at the start.

He’ll likely find the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m) a bit sharp but Baker said he needs to kick off.

“He’s not quite ready to go 1400m, we’ve got Perfumist in the Benchmark 88 next week and I sort of want to split them up,’’ he said.

“Common sense tells me he will be better second and third up and once he gets to a mile. He’s some hope because he has a lot of ability.”

Robusto wins the Winter Challenge at Rosehill

Bjorn Baker on Regimental Colours (race 3): “I’m absolutely thrilled with how she’s done, since that last run her work has been good. I think she will run really well and she’s a filly who keeps improving.”

On Disneck (race 5): “He’s had three weeks between runs, if he track is out wide he might be able to get out there. He’s going very well, but it’s hard to be confident with the track.”

On Bonita Queen (race 5): She’s had two very good trials. She was very quick last time. We took her to the races for a day out last week and from a condition point of view I’m confident she’s in the best condition we’ve had. If the track improved my confidence would grow.”

On Puntin (race 10): "He’s been super consistent and he still ran fourth last time. It definitely was a tricky track, that’s part of it. Maybe it was the track, maybe it was the distance. He gets back to that mile where he has performed very well. I guess gate one is a positive or a negative and that’s the big question mark. He’s fit, he’s gone to 1800m and we will be able to be positive.”

On Fairway Star (race 10): “She’ll be able to get back and get cover. She has the recent racing, she’s rock hard fit and she’s won at Randwick before. I think she is better on top of the ground but we might be able to offset that with recent racing.”

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