Rising trainer Bjorn Baker won the 2012 edition of the Inglis Nursery with Twilight Royale and he has the chance to become the first trainer to win the race on multiple occasions after including both Dane Slugger and Fashion Model in the acceptances for the $250,000 race.
Bjorn Baker is chasing a second win in the Inglis Nursery after he took out the 2012 edition of the race with Twilight Royale. Photo by: Steve Hart
Dane Slugger will be having his first race start in the Inglis Nursery, but has impressed with two solid barrier trial performances at Rosehill Gardens on November 25 and Warwick Farm on December 8 and Baker told RSN that the Dane Shadow colt looks as though he has plenty of talent.
“I brought him at the Melbourne Sale and he is out of a mare called Fine Society who won a Group 1, so he has a reasonable pedigree that is for sure,” Baker said.
“He is a nice big, type of horse.
“He has had two trials and in both trials he wasn’t fully asked.
“He has drawn 15 of 16 and I guess that is a bit of a negative, but with the wet track it might end up being a positive.
“I guess only time will tell, but he is a nice horse.
“I am thinking that he is as good a chance as any to get through the track.
“He has shown a lot from day dot, but you just don’t know because he hasn’t been asked for a full effort.”
Fashion Model is out of red-hot second season sire I Am Invincible and she made her first public appearance when she defeated three rivals to win a barrier trial over 740 metres at Warwick Farm on December 8.
Baker said that it will be a test for Fashion Model heading to Royal Randwick for her maiden race start, but he has been happy with everything that the filly has done since she began preparations for her racing debut.
“I think she is a very nice filly,” Baker said.
“She has only had the one trial, which was on Monday and she won with something in hand.
“I would have liked to give her another trial and that is the big question mark because she has only had one trial at home.
“She is going to have to go to Randwick on Saturday and that is going to be totally new for her, but she is a very nice filly and she has drawn well.”
Fashion Model is currently available at Inglis Nursery odds of $8, while Dane Slugger is available at a quote of $9.50 to make a winning start to his racing career.
