Bjorn Baker is set to aim high with his battle-hardened gelding Robusto following a record-breaking victory in the Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Ingham winner carried a topweight of 60kg—more than any previous victor in the race’s history—and dug deep in the closing stages to edge out Accredited in a tense head-to-head duel over 1500 metres.
“I’m just glad he held on. I told the whole world to back him,” Baker said with a laugh. “He’s come back well from his Ingham win, and now that he’s fit and firing, we’ll look to strike early in the spring.”
Baker flagged a possible tilt at the Missile Stakes (1200m) as a next step and even hinted at a shot at the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) depending on how he performs next start.
The Winx Stakes is expected to attract a deep field with elite names such as Fangirl, Via Sistina, Private Eye and Ceolwulf all likely contenders.
Robusto was a smart buy by Darby Racing and continues to repay their faith. Baker confirmed the stable is also set to receive more of their horses, including $155,000 dispersal sale purchase Snack Bar, formerly trained by Godolphin.
Despite the narrow defeat, Joe Pride was pleased with Accredited’s effort and said the dry surface was a major factor in the horse’s performance. “There’s another suitable race over 1500m in a couple of weeks and we’ll target that,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Richard Litt’s Romeo’s Choice ($11) made a successful step up to Saturday company, taking out the Schweppes Sprint (1100m) in a blanket finish. He just held off Storm The Ramparts ($4 fav), with Corniche ($6) close behind in third.
Litt said the Missile Stakes is a possibility, though a Listed event in Brisbane also remains under consideration depending on how the horse pulls up.
Romeo’s Choice helped complete a treble for Tom Sherry, who earlier won aboard Yoshinobu and later on King Of Roseau.
Punters looking to capitalise on spring form should keep an eye on Robusto and Romeo’s Choice, both of whom featured prominently across major betting sites over the weekend.
