The Warwick Farm trainer, though, believes she can fire first-up over the shorter trip. She flashed home for second this time last year to finish second in The Shorts (1100m) and earn a slot in the Everest (1200m), where she was ninth.
“I’m very happy with her, I can’t fault her,” he said.
“She’s very well, she can sprint well fresh, and I’m sure she will run a good race. You’ve only got to look at her form, she’s going to be right in it, I would have thought, as a great chance.”
Rachel King has the ride in the Sheraco, where Joliestar ($2.30) and Gangsta Granny ($2.90) led the market.
Baker also has Crown The King ($18) in the group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400) after he was a fighting third in the Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) last start.
“Crown The King is rock-hard fit, so he will roll forward, and the more demanding track, the better for him,” he said.
“A bit of rain around probably brings him into the race a bit more. He went well last start, he’s up in trip again, and he’s not out of it.”
Nkosi ($5) in the fourth, a benchmark 88 over 1800m, was his other hope. Bonita Queen was set to be scratched from the fifth.
A Kiwi import, Nkosi won first up at Wyong but then faded to finish seventh at Rosehill in benchmark 78 grade over 1500m.
“He’s up in trip and a demanding track probably helps him a little bit. The blinkers go on and he’s a good chance,” Baker said.
“Last time, a bit of a sprint home probably didn’t suit him. We’ll be positive with him.”
Lloyd looks to Everest again
A week after helping Headwall stake his claim for an Everest slot with victory in the Concorde Stakes, Zac Lloyd is keen to get a confirmed starter on track for the $20 million race.
With James McDonald at Flemington on Saturday, Lloyd has picked up the Sheraco Stakes ride on Joliestar, which was announced on Wednesday as trainer Chris Waller and his partners’ choice to fill their Everest slot.
Joliestar, which McDonald rode to seventh in last year’s Everest, is the fifth confirmed runner in the October 18 race and resumes as favourite in the Sheraco at Rosehill.
She was second to another Everest contender, Jimmysstar, in Lloyd’s only ride on her, in the group 1 All Aged Stakes last April.
“I only sat on her that one time and she gave me a lovely ride,” Lloyd said.
Trainer Matt Smith embraces jockey Zac Lloyd after Headwall’s win in the Concorde Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s a very winnable race for her and all reports are she’s come back well this prep, so excited for Saturday.
“Obviously, Headwall was good, but hopefully she can run well, return well and be on track for the Everest.”
Lloyd has the chance on Saturday with another feature race favourite, Run To The Rose fancy Raging Force, after Tommy Berry’s suspension from the Peter Snowden-trained gelding’s last-start win in the San Domenico Stakes.
Raging Force was a $3.10 favourite on Friday for a high-class edition of the group 2.
“Obviously, no hiding this time of the year. It’s a proper race, and pretty much a Golden Rose warm up,” Lloyd said.
“He’s got a nice barrier. I worked him on Tuesday and he gave me a lovely feel. Tommy told me as much as he can and hopefully he can go out Saturday and race well again.
“Tommy told me he’s very straightforward. Obviously, more than happy to get my sit on him this time and Tommy I’m sure will be back on him for the Golden Rose if he performs well.”
Lloyd keeps the ride on John Sargent-trained Flying Orchid in the Ming Dynasty Quality, where he was a $6 chance after a heavy track win at Wyong to stay unbeaten from two starts.
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“I won on him last time at Wyong and he gave me a great ride,” he said.
“Real progressive horse, still learning his craft. He’s very laid back and I think he’s going to appreciate probably getting over a bit further.
“But Saturday is a big jump for him from obviously just provincial grade, but he’s very progressive. John has a nice opinion of him and if he can run well and be hitting the line strongly that can open a lot of doors for him later in the prep.”
