Next NSW Race

Latest News

Baker Adamant Ransom Demands Attention In Hawkesbury Crown

By Ray Hickson

Bring The Ransom is no stranger to springing a surprise and trainer Bjorn Baker is quietly confident the mare has another upset in her at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker

Baker has been adamant all autumn that the six-year-old is feeling very well but she’s been dictated to by wide barriers in top mares company – that’s not going to be the case in the Group 3 $200,000 Pioneer Services Hawkesbury Crown (1300m).

The mare has been unwanted in betting this time in - she started $51 in her second-up sixth to Roots in the Group 2 Emancipation and $151 when eighth to Atishu in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf.

But the Warwick Farm trainer said both runs had merit and from gate two on a drier track he feels Bring The Ransom, at $16 with TAB on Wednesday, is a dark horse.

“We’ve been forced to go back. She’s been hindered by having to give away lengths,’’ he said.

“I’m not saying she would have been in the finish of her last couple but she would have been closer for sure.

“It was a brilliant run in the Queen Of The Turf under the circumstances, and we were thrilled with her.

“She hasn’t been helped by some of the wet tracks but she’s still run good races. I’ve got no doubt she’s better on top of the ground.”

Baker won last year’s Hawkesbury Crown with $26 chance Exotic Ruby.

Bring The Ransom has won eight races and 11 months ago posted her most important win in the Group 3 Dark Jewel (1400m) at Scone where she saluted at $51.

“I think she’s in great order, she looks fantastic. I don’t want to see her shorter than double figures, she likes to win when she’s bigger odds,’’ he said.

“She won her first start at 30/1 and she won the Dark Jewel at 50/1. She pops up when it’s least expected.”

Speedy galloper Malkovich steps out for the first time as a gelding in the Listed $160,000 Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush (1100m) and Baker said the ‘gear change’ became necessary after a mixed spring.

He can only hope it has the same effect as it did on stablemate Overpass who won the $4m The Quokka in Perth last weekend at his debut as a gelding.

It’s not often you see talented horses gelded in their five-year-old year but Baker said it became clear Malkovich’s future would be on the racetrack.

“He didn’t come up quite as expected last preparation,’’ he said.

“On his best form he’s very good as we know, and sharp, he just ended up getting so heavy we thought it was best to geld him.


Bring The Ransom's run in the Queen Of The Turf

“He’s a much more athletic horse and we're thrilled with how he’s been going.”

Malkovich has won both his barrier trials leading into his return to take his unbeaten run at the trials to 15 and came up with gate 12 for his return.

Bjorn Baker on Kiss The Bride (Hawkesbury Cup): “We’ll be able to be positive and roll forward. He’s a strange horse, often he takes a few runs to show his best but we’re pretty happy with him.”

On Our Anchorage (race 4): “He’s a promising stayer but he’s going to be better after a few runs and probably next preparation too. He’s in the same mould as Harpo Marx who took a while to warm up and get accustomed to our racing. He’s got a little more speed out of the gates than what Harpo Marx had so we might be able to be a bit positive.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting

The Latest Racing News

First Landing Set To Arrive At Port Macquarie (Tuesday)

By Rod Fuller A recent relocation to the north coast resulting in victory at Newcastle a fortnight ago has First ...
Read More

Jockey Overweights - Kensington Track (Wednesday)

Please note the following: KENSINGTON TRACK (Wednesday 25th June) Race 2, No.8 - BRYANT: Josh Parr permitted to ride 0.5kg ...
Read More

Racing Mates Supports Mental Health Raceday At Kembla Grange

Racing Mates partnered with Illawarra Turf Club in hosting a special BBQ get-together for racing participants at Kembla Grange in ...
Read More

Speedster Looks The One To Beat At Narromine (Monday)

By Neil Evans A trip away from home and return to the flying short course are set to pay dividends ...
Read More

Sydney’s ‘Strapper of the Year’ - Nominations Close Weds 25th June

Nominations are now being called for Sydney’s ‘Strapper of the Year’ award for the 2024/25 season. Now in its 16th ...
Read More
Racing NSW Apps
View
Mobile Version
Contact
Forms
Information
Industry Links