Bjorn Baker says She’s Ideel is no $101 chance in the Melbourne Cup

Top Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker expressed disbelief that his classy stayer She’s Ideel is as much as $101 in early markets for the Melbourne Cup.

“I must say I can’t believe you can get $101 for her when Realm Of Flowers is a $15 chance and The Chosen One is $34,” Baker said.

“We beat them home in the Sydney Cup.”

Baker is quite bullish about what lies ahead this spring for the daughter of his father Murray’s former superstar stayer (It’s A) Dundeel declaring her the “horse that’s ready to take mantle” of his stable’s “headline horse”.

“She’s had a great foundation over the past 12 months for what lies ahead this spring and I’m really happy with how she is coming up,” Baker said.

Bjorn Baker. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images.Source:Getty Images

“She’s really well and I think she’s come back a better horse.

“I’ll probably kick her off in the Winx Stakes.

“I obviously wouldn’t expect her to be winning that but I have to start her off somewhere and the other option I’m considering is the Spring Preview on the 14th of August.

“A race like The Metropolitan will be her first real target. That’s her first aim and then we’ll look towards Melbourne and the Cup.

Baker believes this year is likely to present a rare opportunity for Australian and New Zealand gallopers with expectations of a reduced European due to the continuing Covid-19 epidemic and the stricter fitness protocols of potential international raiders.

She’s Ideel in full flight. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images.Source:Getty Images

“Her run in the Tancred would suggest she’s up to the top grade and this year with all the stuff going on is shaping like a great opportunity for the locals to reclaim a real old style Melbourne Cup,” Baker said.

“She’s possibly going to get straight into the field too.

“She’s borderline but with the likelihood of less Europeans it could prove easier to get into the race this year so when opportunities like that present you need to be ready to take your chance.

“She’s weight-for-age Group 1 placed at 2400m now.

“If you go back to the Melbourne Cups before the influx of foreigners, she’s got a similar profile to horses like Jezabeel and She’s Archie who performed well in the race.”

Originally published asBjorn Baker: She’s no $101 chance in the Melbourne Cup

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