KEY POINTS:
Sydney-based South African jockey Jeff Lloyd has answered an SOS call from the Murray and Bjorn Baker stable and will ride Fully Fledged in Saturday's $1 million Telegraph Handicap at Trentham.
Melbourne lightweight jockey Stephen Baster had been engaged to ride the 3-year-old, but had to opt out because of a family illness, Murray Baker said yesterday.
"By that stage I had missed out with getting a local jockey at the horse's weight (51.5kg), but Jeff is able to come because of a couple of his good mounts are not running in Sydney this Saturday."
Lloyd rode Nom Du Jeu to win the AJC Derby at Randwick in April. Lloyd, who has more than 80 group one wins to his credit, then finished second on Nom Du Jeu in the Caulfield Cup in the spring.
"He's a top jockey and his record speaks for itself," said Baker.
It is Lloyd's only ride for the Baker stable on the first day of the Wellington carnival as the training duo had already engaged jockeys for their other horses, but John Sargent has snapped up his services for his 3-year-old Heza Karma Karzi in the group three Trentham Stakes.
Baker reported Fully Fledged had progressed well since his second placing behind Accardo in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
"He should improve a bit on that and hopefully the draw [barrier four] will help."
Baker is hoping the colt's erratic ways are in the past, especially on the anniversary of him throwing away victory in the $100,000 Wakefield Stakes last year, crashing through the running rail when leading with 200m to go.
"He's maturing all the time and is a nice colt, but it is hard for a 3-year-old in that company."
Baker also thinks it will be a tough ask for the Australian visitor Turffontein, who will race as Lord Turffontein for his New Zealand visit.
The Anthony Cummings-trained sprinter drew barrier 19 in the 24-horse field, that includes six emergencies. To make matters worse, four of those emergencies are drawn outside him.
"And he has to travel over as well - that makes it tough," said Baker.
Lord Turffontein opened up a $6.50 favourite on the TAB's final field book yesterday, ahead of Fully Fledged ($7), the early futures market favourite Mufhasa ($7.50), Altered Image ($8.50), Il Quello Veloce ($10) and Atapi and Pinsoir ($11).
Baker also has a strong hand in Saturday's group two $100,000 Wakefield Stakes, lining up the unbeaten Veldt, a last-start Trentham winner, and Caprio.
- NZPA
