Racing: Murray Baker's two-pronged attack

The Chosen One beats stablemate Spring Delight in the Manawatu Classic at Awapuni last month. Photo / Race Images

The Chosen One will end his Australian campaign on Saturday, while stablemate Bobby Dee will be endeavouring to secure a trip across the Tasman when he competes at Ellerslie the same day.

Both three-year-olds from Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman's stable competed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie last month with Bobby Dee doing the better of the pair when sixth, three and a quarter lengths from the upset winner Crown Prosecutor, while The Chosen One was a further two and a half lengths away in 11th placing.

The Chosen One, a son of Savabeel and stakeswinner The Glitzy One, went on to win the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni and produced a huge effort for fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick. He will complete his three-year-old campaign in Saturday's Gr.3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick.

Meanwhile, on the home front Bobby Dee will make his first appearance since the New Zealand Derby when he tackles the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Championship Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.

"Though Bobby Dee hasn't run since the Derby he's fit and should go a big race on Saturday," Baker said.

"He's our horse for the Queensland carnival and if he goes well on Saturday he'll head over for the Queensland Derby (Gr.1, 2400m, at Eagle Farm on June 8)."

Baker has had many highlights at the Sydney Easter Carnival over the years, but luck has deserted his stable this year, having to settle for minor placings. But he hopes that will all change with The Chosen One on Saturday. "He's a very good horse and hasn't had any luck in the two Derbies," Baker said.

"He was given no chance in the New Zealand Derby and his was the run of the race in the Australian Derby. Blake Shinn (jockey) felt if he had drawn an alley he would just about have won it.

"It was a huge run. Nothing was making ground, but he did."

The Chosen One came from last at the 800m with a sustained run to finish three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, Angel of Truth.

"He'll come home for a spell after Saturday's race and we'll probably set him for Melbourne in the spring," Baker said.

Also heading for the spelling paddock will be stablemate Clementina, the Gr.2 Sunline Vase (2100m) runner-up who finished sixth behind Verry Elleegant in Saturday's Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). "She tried and ran a fair race," Baker said. ''She's due a spell now and should come back better next season."

The Australian Oaks winner Verry Elleegant is part-owned by Jomara Bloodstock, who bred and co-race Bobby Dee (by the same sire, Zed).

Bobby Dee has won two of his 11 starts and, though both wins were at low-grade meetings, he has performed well in his three staying tests. He finished sixth to stablemate Cutadeel in the Listed 3YO Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie last December and fourth to Surely Sacred in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie in his lead-up to the NZ Derby.

Baker and Forsman's other runners at Ellerslie on Saturday will include Spring Delight, Ignored and Vee Cece who will all clash with Bobby Dee.

Spring Delight, a Tavistock filly, picked up her second win over 2100m at Tauranga last month and chased The Chosen One home in the Manawatu Classic, while Ignored and Vee Cece both won at Ellerslie on March 30.

- NZ Racing Desk