Racing: Baker seeking some holiday pay

The good news for Spiro (rails) is he does not have to worry about Shez Sinsational (outer) at Trentham tomorrow. The bad news is the 61kg he has to carry. Picture / Natalie Slade

Murray Baker is going to have a slightly easier time after three of his prominent runners compete at Ellerslie and Trentham tomorrow.

It could be winter holiday time.

Baker's juveniles Watch King and Twilight Granita, in the $50,000 Graeme Thomson Jewellers Great Northern Foal Stakes, will be spelled immediately after the race.

So will Oak Park, the likely favourite for the $40,000 Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge North Island Challenge Stakes at Trentham.

There is an evenness about the Foal Stakes line-up which presents a problem for punters.

Twilight Granita has raced pretty much only against the best lately with sound minor placings, even though Baker refused to get too excited about the chance of either runner.

"Twilight Granita has been thereabouts and you can say the same about Watch King. Watch King is having his first start right-handed, but he's worked okay that way around and I think he'll appreciate the step up to 1400m."

Last start, Twilight Granita was a short neck and a long head from A Touch Of Ruby and Saturn Rock in the $30,000 Avondale Classic at Pukekohe after a slightly interrupted run.

Watch King has shown toughness in his three runs.

Power Trip has impressed in two raceday appearances, looking unlucky at Te Awamutu on debut then did well to finish third at Hawera on a track that was too wet for him. This footing should be much more suitable.

Plenty of chances here, with About Square and Hamacho being among them. Oak Park looked good beating last weekend's subsequent winner Zennista in stakes company at Rotorua last start and deserves to be highly rated in the Challenge Stakes at Trentham.

Her main issue will be the 56kg. Oak Park is a little mare and 56kg is every bit as much as you would like to see her carry on a track that is almost certain to be testing to some degree.

Baker would have claimed on her had he been able to find a suitable apprentice.

"Oh well, Lisa Allpress has the ride and you can't go past an experienced rider when it gets wet at Trentham."

After two nice efforts since resuming from a spell, I Am Sam looms in this race, even though the 59kg topweight will not be easy.

His raceday record on rain-affected footing is superb.

Fears Nothing has also had two races this preparation and should be about to again produce his best.

Spiro will have to work hard to lump his 61kg topweight to victory in the $40,000 Magness Benrow Trentham Gold Cup.

Last start, Spiro had 60kg and couldn't quite match eventual winner Titch. Three starts back he had to carry 57.5kg when narrowly beaten by Shez Sinsational (55kg) in the Auckland Cup. There are some useful horses facing him here, but none of Shez Sinsational or Titch's class.

That gives the former Wellington Cup winner a chance of pulling it off.

Fromelles gained the win everyone thought she deserved in the Rotorua Cup last start and can go on with it and Murray Baker's runner Fast Love can threaten down in the weights.