Trainer Murray Baker is eyeing the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) with Show The World after the talented gelding recorded his maiden win at Group level in the Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie yesterday.
Murray Baker could become the first trainer to win the Australia Derby in back-to-back years since John Hawkes took out the race with Headturner (2006) and Fiumicino (2007). Photo by: Steve Hart
Baker won the 2012 edition of the Australian Derby in dominant fashion with It’s A Dundeel and believes that Show The World has the ability to be competitive in the Group 1 race that will take place at Royal Randwick on April 12 as part of The Championships.
The veteran trainer admits that Show The World still has plenty of ways to improve but said that his behavior and overall attitude has improved significantly since he was gelded before making his racing debut.
“I think he might just need a break now as he may have come to the end of it for this preparation,” Baker said after the race.
“We thought the blinkers would do the trick and keep him focused but he still has the that tendency to switch off at the wrong time.
“He is a very good horse in the making, however I think he will benefit from a fortnight in the paddock now.
“He might just be an Australian Derby horse, this guy, as we believe him to be a very smart animal and we’ve liked him from day one.
“Funnily enough, he was such a handful as a colt we ended up gelding him and now he’s just a pussy cat around the place and very laid back, which will be an asset if we do travel him.”
Show The World made his debut with a third place finish behind Lady Cumquat in the Mills Reef Winery Maiden (1600m) at Tauranga on November 16 before recording his first race win in the Te Aroha Vet Services Maiden (1600m) on December 2.
The High Chaparral gelding stepped up to Listed level for the first time in the Champion Guineas Prelude (2100m) at Ellerslie on December 15 and finished a narrow second behind Nigelissima before winning as a clear favourite yesterday.
Baker could have three horses in Australia during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival; with It’s A Dundeel set for a weight-for-age campaign and Atlante a chance to contest the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
