Racing
Caballus set to strike in the Lightning
A stunning barrier trial win by Caballus has trainer Bjorn Baker flirting with starting the talented sprinter in the Group 1 $1 million Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Caballus showed brilliant, sustained speed to win a recent Rosehill trial by a massive margin of nearly 13 lengths.
Baker admitted Caballus is making a compelling case to be given his chance in the Lightning although the trainer is also considering the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on the same day.
"Caballus' last start win (Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben on December 8) was sensational, his trial was fantastic and he looks better than he ever has,'' Baker said.
"At this stage, we are probably leaning to the Expressway but he is going so well we will definitely consider the Lightning.
"We haven't seen the best of Caballus yet, he's a very exciting sprinter.''
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have kept Caballus "safe" at $8 in early Lightning betting behind Godolphin's boom colt Tentyris at $2.50 favouritism with Giga Kick at $4.50 and Beiwacht next at $6.
Baker also revealed classy Godolphin galloper Pericles won't go to the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday but instead will be set first-up for the Group 1 $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 21.
Pericles won the Tramway Stakes when resuming last spring then was twice Group 1 placed with his third to Autumn Glow in the Epsom Handicap and second behind Ceolwulf in the Champion's Mile.
"I'm very happy with how Pericles is going,'' Baker said. "He will trial next week and then go to the Futurity Stakes.''
Baker then provided an update on his talented two-year-olds Warwoven and Paradoxium who have recovered from recent minor setbacks and are still on the track for the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
"Warwoven and Paradoxium look fantastic,'' Baker enthused.
"We have the Skyline Stakes and Todman Stakes for either or, we are just going to see how they go in the next week or so.
"I would like to trial them or even give them a gallop between races but I'm reasonably confident we can get them to the Golden Slipper.
"I think in terms of how they are at the moment I couldn't be happier.''
Warwoven, unbeaten in two starts, remains at the top of Golden Slipper betting at $8 alongside Hidriz while Paradoxium, who hasn't raced since winning the Wyong Magic Millions two months ago, is at $26.
Although Baker is upbeat he has Warwoven and Paradoxium back in Slipper contention, the trainer revealed his top stayer Arapaho won't be ready in time to defend his "title" in the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 11.
"Arapaho is a little bit behind with some feet issues although it is nothing of major concern,'' Baker said.
"He won't be there for the Sydney Cup but we might go first or second-up into the Doncaster Mile and then look at a Brisbane preparation.''
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