Erudite horseman really needed an ale

Cambridge co-trainer Murray Baker enjoys a cold premium beer.

He's never enjoyed one more than on Saturday afternoon after he had to late scratch classy stayer Harris Tweed from his fresh-up run at New Plymouth.

The Baker stable was on the receiving end of a float driver's complete directional melt-down after picking up Harris Tweed from Cambridge.

On to the New Plymouth-bound float was loaded, at Hamilton, the Jeff Lynds-trained Between The Beats, who was engaged at Ellerslie.

Amongst all this confusion, Taranaki acceptor Simply Boogie could not be found at Te Awamutu.

"I'd already rung the float company and voiced my concern that the original timing of the float seemed to be cutting it fine, but had been reassured everything would be fine," said Baker.

"With all the confusion the timing was way too late."

Faced with the best-case scenario, Baker reasoned the float, with Harris Tweed, was likely to arrive at the course less than 30 minutes from race time.

"Either they wouldn't let the horse start or it wasn't ideal for the horse, so I told them to off-load Harris Tweed."

Baker's problem was that Harris Tweed needed Saturday's race for his programme to work perfectly through to the Australian Cup on March 18.

"There is no other ideal [lead-up] race for him and my gut feeling is we won't get there with him now. But we'll try.

"I had to act in the best interests of the horse and I needed a beer to cool off.

"I know he hasn't got a huge New Zealand profile, but he's won A$1.7 million.

"He's a good horse and I know he's a Marco Polo, but I don't want him to become a Jules Verne with Around The World In 80 Days."

LOOK FORWARD
The Baker stable is looking to send Twilight Savings to Melbourne for Friday night's A$100,000 Mt Fillies' Plate at Moonee Valley. Mr Tipsy will run in the Sporting Bet Moonee Valley Night Cup.

MURPHY'S LAW
Simply Boogie, part of the Waikato float confusion, arrived late at New Plymouth, but still won the $30,000 Platinum Homes 3YO. It was the race after the one Harris Tweed was meant to run in. Sure Trick, from Shaune Ritchie's stable, finished unplaced. She had been on the float for two hours when Simply Boogie had finally been picked up.

MASSIVE
Wisecrack's win in the last at Ellerslie after travelling an extra 100m. Why wouldn't you run in the Derby after that? He is a son of High Chaparral so has the credentials.

HUGE
Aspinal's close second on a day when many found it difficult to make ground from second last on the bend. A win is not far away.

HEAD SHAKING
Irish Opera simply ran them breathless. And, finally, himself as well. He ran the 1600m in a brilliant 1.33.54 and the final 600m in worse than 36. The last few bounds were understandably very light.

NZ'S BEST
Jason Bridgman topped the black type premiership list with seven victories, when Icepin won the Avondale Guineas.