Canterbury preview: Trainer Bjorn Baker saddles Shalaa Gold
Baker has so far this season prepared 155 winners, topping his previous best of 128, with his runners earning in excess of $25 million.
'It's been an amazing season. I have a great team, great clients and I have a lot of nice horses around me,' Baker said.
'As good as this season has been, I'm looking forward to next season as well.'
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Baker is looking to get off to a quick start at Canterbury with Shalaa Gold and Olufsen kicking off their preparations in the Benchmark 64 TAB Handicap (1100m).
Shalaa Gold was runner-up in his first four starts before a breakthrough win over 1100m at Warwick Farm in January.
He showed he is on track to kick off his campaign on a positive note with two very good trials including a win over King Of Roseau in his Randwick heat on July 11.
'He's a promising horse. He did a good job to finally win a maiden last start after placing a number of times,' Baker said.
'He has trialled well and he is definitely forward enough so I think he's in there with a good chance.
'I'm also happy to see that the weather is pretty good this week so we will get a decent track for him.'
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Olufsen doesn't have the race experience of Shalaa Gold but showed he possessed plenty of ability with a debut win at Wyong in March.
He has also trialled very well with a second to Mirra Impact in his Randwick trial on June 27 and a fourth to Amreekiyah in a Hawkesbury heat on July 7.
'He is a full brother to Ozzmosis,' he said.
'He was very good in winning at his first start.
'He is still a little bit green and putting it all together but he has been good in his couple of trials.
'There probably isn't much between these two and he has drawn a lovely gate as well.
'I guess Shalaa Gold will probably be a little more forward that Olufsen but it will come down to luck in running a little bit as well.'
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Baker has O'Invincible engaged at Canterbury and Wyong on Thursday and will weigh up the two options.
The daughter of I Am Invincible is in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m) for which she has drawn barrier 13 while she has gate 7 in the Benchmark 64 at Wyong.
'She has got a wide gate but there is already three scratchings inside of her,' Baker said.
'We will just have a think about whether she runs or we wait for the next day.'
O'Invincible was below her best first-up when a well beaten sixth to Livin' Thing at Randwick's Kensington track but better when just over a length behind Divine Vicky when sixth at Gosford.
'She was too bad to be true first-up and I think she may have had atrial fibrillation but she definitely had an excuse that day,' he said.
'She was okay last time out and she is definitely fit and well. I think stepping up to the 1250 metres suits her as well.'
Baker felt Mortlake could run a cheeky race in the All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1550m).
'I thought he was good first-up and had excuses last time out on a very wet track at Rosehill.
'His work on Saturday was good and off that alone, I think he's got a good chance.'
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