Arapaho victory in The Coast would put trainer Bjorn Baker in Heaven

Trainer Bjorn Baker’s “French foreign legion” of Arapaho and Flat Heaven are poised to win their first Australian races at the Gosford stand-alone meeting on Saturday.

Arapaho, a stakeswinner in France, has given Baker cause for optimism going into the $500,000 The Coast (1600m).

Flat Heaven began his race career in France then was moved to Hong Kong before Baker secured the chestnut gelding who lines up in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

Tim Clark will partner Arapaho for Bjorn Baker in the inaugural The Coast. Photo: Grant GuySource:The Daily Telegraph

Arapaho made his Australian debut when a close sixth to Rocha Clock at Randwick three weeks ago while Flat Heaven has improved steadily in each of his four starts for Baker including his most recent effort when second to boom sprinter Lost And Running.

“They are two exciting horses who are really pleasing me at home,’’ Baker said.

“I’m still learning about Arapaho but he looks great and, undoubtedly, he has improved since his Randwick run.

“He’s a pretty straight-forward horse so Gosford won’t be a problem for him and he has natural gate speed to put himself right there. He’s an interesting runner.’’

Arapaho is at $9.50 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Coast while Flat Heaven is pressing for favouritism at $5 for his 1200m race.

“I thought Flat Heaven was the best each way chance at 50/1 I’ve ever had at Randwick the other day but we did bump into a very good horse (Lost And Running),’’ Baker said.

“But things didn’t quite work out for my sprinter as he had to get dragged back early from a wide barrier.

Bjorn Baker’s promising two-year-old Overpass. Photo: Grant GuySource:The Daily Telegraph

“We haven’t done too much with him since, he’s nice and fresh and I’m confident the best is yet to come with him.’’

Quiet Riot, a half-brother to Hong Kong champion Golden Sixty, lines up against Flat Heaven on Saturday.

“I’ve always had a good opinion of Quiet Riot and I’m hoping he is ready to show me on race day what he does at trackwork,’’ Baker said.

Baker, who attended The Coast race-eve function at jockey Tim Clark’s The Joker and Thief restaurant-bar at Terrigal on Friday, is sending a strong team to the Gosford meeting.

They include handy middle distance galloper Parry Sound who looks well placed in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m).

Parry Sound has been competitive in two runs back from a spell in stronger grade and it’s no surprise he is the $4.60 favourite.

“He is going really ‘good’, this horse,’’ Baker enthused.

“I can’t have him any better, he has come on since his last run and he just needs a bit of luck in the run.’’

Exotic Ruby resumes in the final event at Gosford on Saturday. Photo: Grant GuySource:The Daily Telegraph

Baker’s promising two-year-old Overpass ($3 favourite) s chasing a hat-trick of wins when he lines up in the Central Coast 2YO Handicap (1200m).

Overpass began his career with a second placing behind boom youngster Gleneagles but he has bounced off that defeat with successive wins at Orange and Warwick Farm.

“Every time we have raised the bar with this colt, he keeps jumping it, he’s a very genuine young horse,’’ Baker said.

“He’s drawn a little wide but he has good tactical speed and he’s very tough.’’

Exotic Ruby and Let It Pour give Baker a strong presence in the closer, the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

Baker maintains there is little between his mares although Let It Pour has the race fitness on her side.

“Let It Pour didn’t have any luck last start and she is ready to improve,’’ Baker said.

“Exotic Ruby is first-up but she is trialling well and is super consistent. They are two mares I have a lot of time for and they are in a race that suits them.’’

Originally published asFrench duo ready to standout at Gosford

Source: Read Full Article