Racing: Derby dream comes true

Hugh Bowman salutes on Lion Tamer in the Victoria Derby. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran trainer Murray Baker fulfilled a lifetime dream when Lion Tamer blasted his rivals in the Victoria Derby at Flemington yesterday.

The blue riband was run in driving rain on a slow track which was downgraded to heavy after the 3-year-olds had slogged it out over 2500 metres.

Lion Tamer ($13) was in a class of his own, racing away in the straight under Hugh Bowman to beat Praecido ($18) by 6 lengths with second favourite Retrieve ($4) a half-neck away third.

Baker, who trains in partnership with his son Bjorn, said the Victoria Derby had been an ambition for most of his career but its date made it hard to get New Zealand horses ready.

He sent Lion Tamer to Sydney at the beginning of September to prepare for the race and everything fell into place.

"It's hard in New Zealand with the long winters to get young horses ready for this Derby," Baker said.

"That's why we sent Lion Tamer over early and the tongue tie and blinkers certainly helped as well. And the rain gave me confidence."

Lion Tamer won his first start in Sydney, the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) where he beat Praecido. In his final lead-up he finished second to Rekindled Interest in the AAMI Vase.

That win elevated Rekindled Interest to $3.80 Derby favouritism but he was no match for his rival yesterday, coming in fifth more than 12 lengths away.

Bjorn Baker has been training with his father for just three years and had almost instant success when Nom Du Jeu won the 2008 AJC Australian Derby.

"We picked out the Victoria Derby for Lion Tamer when he won his first race at Pukekohe a year ago," he said.

The colt is raced by his breeder Phil Bayly, a long-time supporter of Murray Baker and the owner of 1980 Melbourne Cup runner-up My Blue Denim.

Bayly, 87, was on hand for the Derby win which was also a celebration for his wife Mildred's 85th birthday.

"Phil has bred a lot of horses and Lion Tamer is part of the My Blue Denim family," Murray Baker said.

Lion Tamer travelled behind the leader Almindoro until the approach to the home turn then strode forward quickly.

That concerned Bjorn Baker who thought he might not have enough left for the final 400m.

"At the turn he was travelling so well I thought he was travelling too well," he said.

"I was worried he wouldn't have enough left for the finish, but there were no worries."

Bowman's association with the Bakers was forged last year when he rode Harris Tweed to second in the AJC Australian Derby.

Harris Tweed went on to run fifth in the 2009 Melbourne Cup and second in this year's Caulfield Cup.

Bowman said he was amazed at the ease with which Lion Tamer handled the Derby.

"The blinkers have really switched him on," he said.

"I couldn't believe it when I put five on them.

"I rode Harris Tweed as a 3-year-old for the Bakers and he did really well and now he's a genuine Cups horse.

"This horse could be back here next year for the Cup."

There were few excuses for the beaten brigade.

- AAP