Although his Queensland venture didn’t produce a win, Bjorn Baker remains confident Sandpaper can return to form back on home soil.

The gelding finished a brave sixth behind Needs Some Luck in The Buffering (1400m) at Eagle Farm after being forced to work early, having previously chased home Know Thyself two runs earlier.

He lines up again in Saturday’s Carrington Stakes (1400m), where Baker believes fitness will be his biggest asset.

“His run was better than it looked last time,” Baker said.

“It’s a tough race but he’s going well. He looks great and he’s rock-hard fit.”

Sandpaper will be joined in the race by stablemates War Eternal and Thunderlips as Baker mounts a three-pronged attack.

With the track continuing to dry, conditions may not suit War Eternal or Thunderlips, both of whom appreciate softer going, although Thunderlips gains a handy weight pull.

“He will probably need it, but he can show up once he gets fit and he looks well at the moment,” Baker said of Thunderlips.

“War Eternal, he often takes a run or two and if there is any cut, it will help him. Same with Thunderlips.

“Thunderlips has just got an awkward gate, so we’ll see how we go there, but we’re in there with a show.”

Whinchat is the $3.30 favourite for the Listed contest, with Sandpaper and War Eternal on the second line of betting and Thunderlips further back.

Punters assessing the Carrington Stakes can review the latest online bookmakers before race day.

The post Sandpaper heads Bjorn Baker’s Carrington Stakes trio first appeared on Just Horse Racing.