Latest News

By Ray Hickson

A world of opportunity will open up for promising sprinter Compensation, who chases a hat-trick at Gosford on Saturday, if he can prove himself at 1200m but trainer Bjorn Baker says that’s likely to be put on hold until next preparation.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

In three starts to date the three-year-old hasn’t been asked to go beyond 1100m and on the back of a runaway Randwick 1000m win two weeks ago he’ll be kept to the shorter course in the Triple M Thunder Thousand (1000m).

Compensation didn’t have his first trial until late August and didn’t make his debut until mid-March but he’s making up for lost time.

“He had a few immaturity issues but thankfully he’s going the right way, he’s bigger and stronger than what he was,’’ Baker said.

“He’s done a really good job. He’s exciting. I’d like to think if he can get to 1200m, it will give us more options, but time will tell.”

The gelding’s weakness at present is a wet track and that brought him undone on debut at Warwick Farm but he’s proven dynamic as he’s found firmer footing in his two wins last month.

He led all the way under the 52kg on Anzac Day and will rise 3.5kg as Baker keeps Compensation, $2.15 with TAB on Wednesday, in the same grade for what will probably the final run of his first preparation.

“Gate one is the key, if he can jump and put himself there he has great natural speed,’’ Baker said.

“I’ve been very happy with him and he should be hard to catch.”

Another wide barrier for Thebudgiesmugla deflated Baker a little but he’s expecting to build on what was a promising return when he steps up in distance in the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (2100m).

The five-year-old only beat two home when he resumed behind Nobler over the Randwick mile but he ran the second fastest last 600m (33.79, Punter’s Intelligence) with only the winner bettering his split.

Baker has his eye on Thebudgiesmugla graduating to be a winter Cups prospect.

“I think he’s going really well, unfortunately he hasn’t drawn well so it’ll make it tough and we’ll just need some luck,’’ he said.

“But he’s very promising and has a good future over some ground.”

I Am Dirty let Baker down with her debut performance at Randwick last month but said he has some thinking to do about whether she lines up in the Win 100K @ The Coast Raceday Handicap (1200m).

The filly was a $4.40 chance when she stepped out on Anzac Day running sixth behind Bangkok Hottie and Baker said he would like a kinder set up for her.

“She didn’t quite live up to what we saw at home and didn’t have a lot of luck in the run,’’ he said.

“No doubt she would have improved off that, she’s in good order and we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

Among his other Gosford runners, Baker said he’s expecting a strong showing from Chilli Margs in the Tooheys Handicap (1600m) and hopes Iowna Merc can return well from his Perth summer campaign in the Takeover Target Stakes (1200m).

Shirvington and Mawjood round out the day in the Railway Hotel Gosford Handicap (1200m) and they’ll both run with an air of expectation from the trainer.

The former has proven hit and miss, with five wins and no placings from 10 starts, while the latter is third-up after a fourth behind stablemate Midnight Dynamite two weeks ago where he led.

Compensation wins at Randwick on Anzac Day

“I think Shirvington can bounce back, he’s in really good order. He hasn’t been jumping well but I think he will on Saturday and if he does he’s a good chance,’’ Baker said.

“(Mawjood) is going well. We’ll try to be positive without leading. I think he’s better if we can sit off them.”

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