Racing
Baker predicts bright future for Castagnola
An improving son of top stallion So You Think has given Bjorn Baker a breakthrough win for a set of loyal owners.
High-profile owners Ron and Judy Wanless have enjoyed a flawless start to the day with a winning double in the opening two races at Randwick's Kensington track.
The first came via the Chris Waller-trained Prince Charge in the Schweppes Handicap (1250m) before Bjorn Baker produced progressive three-year-old Castagnola for a grinding victory in the Paulele First Yearlings Handicap (1400m).
Baker was thrilled to deliver for the long-time industry supporters whose colours of Wanless tartan with yellow seams have been worn by the likes of Group 1 winner Lights Of Heaven.
"Great to win with those colours," Baker said.
"We've had a few horses, and I think this is the first winner.
"He will go on to better things. He will be a lot better once he gets up over further. It was a bit of a workmanlike win today, but I think the best is yet to come."
By So You Think, Castagnola was having just his second start after finishing third over 1300m on debut at Kembla Grange earlier this month, while Prince Charge was racing for the first time as a gelding.
Waller said the procedure had made a noticeable difference, and jockey Nash Rawiller was able to coax the best from the three-year-old to get the verdicty by a half-neck over stablemate Kokatahi.
"We have thought a lot of him, but as a colt - as Nash has said - he was a bit of a lad," Waller said of Prince Charge.
"Now he has settled down as a gelding and it's amazing what it does with a bit of time."
Prince Charge is a son of New Zealand-based stallion Hello Youmzain and his victory was timely given Waller is headed across the Tasman on Thursday for the upcoming Karaka Sale.
"That's where we're heading to tomorrow, over to New Zealand to find some late-maturing horses and some good horses as well," he said.
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