Racing: Bakers' double delight in features

Harris Tweed will be perfectly suited to the 2400m grind of today's AJC Derby, says Bjorn Baker. Photo / Supplied

Murray Baker might not be at Randwick this afternoon, but he'll still get the same thrill he had last year if Harris Tweed wins the A$1.5 million AJC Derby.

The Cambridge trainer had one of his career highlights as he and training partner, son Bjorn stood in the Randwick grandstand and watched Nom Du Jeu win the Derby from fellow Kiwi stayer Red Ruler.

This year, Bjorn will be the family representative with dad staying home to concentrate on trying to win this afternoon's $200,000 Land Prided Easter Handicap with Rios and Material Girl.

"You're proud to have a runner in a race like the AJC Derby two years running," said Murray Baker yesterday.

Harris Tweed may not yet have the charisma and track record of Nom Du Jeu, but he may one day.

Murray Baker believes he will.

Last week's A$150,000 Tulloch Stakes win by Harris Tweed was not unexpected and in a year when there are no real 3-year-old staying standouts, he looms with a great chance to make it back-to-back Derby victories for New Zealand.

"I couldn't be more happy with the horse," said Bjorn Baker from Sydney last night.

"I was worried the track last week might have been too wet for him, but he coped.

"I also thought that coming back in distance from the St Leger at home to the Tulloch [2500m back to 2000m] might have been against him, but I suppose the wet track made it more a stayers' race."

Baker says everything points to Harris Tweed being right in the finish.

"The Randwick track has improved, which will suit him. A few showers are predicted for tomorrow morning which means the official track read will probably start out slow then be upgraded to dead.

"The 2400m will suit him and he's right at the top of his form."

Bjorn Baker believes a half-brother to Rios, Roman Emperor, could be the biggest danger.

Trainer Bart Cummings has replaced Blake Shinn with Jim Cassidy for his attempt to win the AJC Derby for the fifth time.

"Sousa is also well credentialled as a stayer," he said.

John Sargent isn't ruling out the possibility he and the Baker stable can quinella the Derby again.

Sargent's Old Jock finished a tidy third to Harris Tweed last week.

"One thing about my bloke is that he'll keep getting to the line at the end of 2400m, some of the others might not," said Sargent last night.

Corey Brown replaces Glen Boss on Old Jock.

Meanwhile for Ellerslie, Murray Baker said he was frustrated with the run of bad barriers for Easter hope Material Girl.

"She and her sister Alagant Satin can't seem to get a decent barrier. She's drawn No 23."

Baker said he would have preferred it to have continued raining for Material Girl, but felt the Ellerslie track should be perfect for Rios.

The Auckland Racing Club yesterday predicted today's track would be bordering on good and dead.

Ginga Dude will open up the $7.50 favourite this morning, ahead of Rios on $8.

If there is a scratching by this morning, allowing Ebony Babe back in the field, the Richard and Chris Otto partnership will have a strong two-pronged attack.

Occidentalis gives the Ottos a great hope. He'll love the 51.5kg and the possible slight cut in the track, and is a nice each-way chance if the tote reflects his fixed-odds price of $11.

Should Ebony Babe regain the field she will be ridden by Craig Grylls, who will be on Loaded Command if the field remains intact.

Ebony Babe and Loaded Command, both at $21 yesterday, finished alongside each other in fourth and fifth in the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha last week.

The winner of that, Australian mare Dane Julia, drops 2kg for the Easter, while Loaded Command and Ebony Babe both drop 5.5kg.

If Ebony Babe runs she will greatly appreciate the slight easing of the ground, which was too hard for her at Te Aroha.

Dane Julia is going to be one of the toughest to beat again.

Perhaps the best value runner in a very even field is Pinsoir.

A noted sprinter, he tried 1600m for the first time in the Japan/NZ Trophy at Tauranga last start and got home strongly into sixth.

He just needs luck from a wide draw today.

TWIN ASSAULT

* The Baker stable eyes group ones on both sides of the Tasman.
* Harris Tweed is primed perfectly for his career big test in the A$1.5 million AJC Derby.
* Rios is second favourite for the Easter behind Ginga Dude