Trainer Bjorn Baker is grappling with the difficult decision of pitting his favoured horses, Pericles and Caballus, against each other in the Russell Balding Stakes.
“They both look fantastic, and they’ve both got good gates,” Baker commented.
“It’s a tough one. They’re two of my favourites, and there’s not too much between them. Caballus is coming out of the stronger race though, so maybe he’s got the slight push.”
Caballus finished seventh from a wide draw in the Everest (1200m), beaten by less than two-and-a-half lengths, while Pericles made up ground from the back in the Sydney Stakes (1200m), finishing just over two lengths behind Grafterburners.
The Baker-trained pair will start from adjacent barriers, one and two, respectively, on Saturday. Pericles had been entered for the Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington but was scratched, despite drawing favourably in gate three.
The convenient low draws in both races presented a challenge for Baker. Ultimately, the significant prizemoney difference, with the Russell Balding Stakes offering $3 million compared to the Melbourne race’s $500,000, was a key factor.
“Funnily enough, he hasn’t drawn well his first two runs this preparation and he drew excellent in both Sydney and Melbourne. Murphy’s Law,” Baker said.
“I guess the prizemoney is so good. He’s got a good gate and he’s getting to his trip. He’s not out of it. From the 1300, gates are crucial, and he’ll be able to put himself midfield, maybe just in front of there, and hopefully gets every chance. Caballus was fantastic in the Everest. If he didn’t get held up on the corner, he would have been a touch closer. He’s going very well too.”
Baker also has the backmarker Within The Law entered for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m), and her first-up fifth in the Silver Eagle (1300m) was a positive sign.
While Sheza Alibi is the firm odds-on favourite, Baker believes Within The Law has the potential to be in the finish from her low draw of three.
“You can’t go into a race like this confident, but I think she will run well and if she runs up to her best, she’s not out of being a place chance for sure,” Baker stated.
“I guess the big thing is she’s got a great gate. She might need a little bit of luck because she does tend to get back, but she was very good first-up and she should be well set second-up to go to the 1500.”
For those keen on placing a wager, exploring online bookmakers might offer competitive odds for the Russell Balding Stakes.