A FUTURE city contender is emerging amidst the dominance at Bathurst of the Bjorn Baker and Greg Ryan combination and he will be in action at Tuesday’s meeting at Tyers Park.
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The Baker’s flying Bel’s Boy, with Ryan aboard, confirmed impressive Rosehill and Kembla barrier trials by winning a maiden unextended from a wide draw at Orange in fast time recently.
It should mean he’ll start short odds for a repeat on Tuesday at the Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing meeting.
The prolific Ryan will also ride fancied stablemates Hez Lethal and Money Travels in respective races as the link with talented trainer Baker flourishes with regular doubles and even trebles this season and last at the popular Central District’s track.
Bel’s Boy, a Bon Hoffa three-year-old gelding, contests the Watermart Class 1 (1,106 metres) dash and given the acceleration he displayed at Orange, a wide draw again is no deterrent according to Baker’s racing manager Jack Bruce.
“Absolutely he’s shown the progression to suggest he could be up to city grade; his gate speed was impressive, he ran time and won with something in hand,” Bruce enthused.
“We’re staying in the country with him as he’s taken a while to put it together and he needs more race and travel experience.
“But we’re confident about him taking the next step. And the pace he showed to position and finish off, suggests the wide draw won’t be a problem with Greg aboard.”
Hez Lethal, a three-year-old Stryker gelding, contests the Rural Bin Service CG&E Maiden (1,106m) after leading when resuming then a close fourth in a tougher Kembla maiden three weeks ago.
“He’s a nice type; he’ll be fitter off a couple of trials and the Kembla run. He showed good speed to lead and only tired the last little bit at 1,200 metres, so back to 1,100 metres certainly suits,” Bruce said.
But the Baker stable is acutely aware of the rare presence of a Hawke’s runner at Bathurst - Luck Of Friendship – who will start favourite on the strength of successive Gold Coast maiden placings last preparation.
Finally, Baker and Ryan combine with Money Travels, who well is drawn in the 1,400m maiden after a strong-finishing photo second over 1,300m at Orange recently.
“He’ll appreciate being out to 1400 metres the way he closed off at 1300 metres. He’s honest, worked really well since and from the good draw Greg should have him up and rolling in a handy position,” Bruce said.
“Previously he ran really well in races that were probably stronger at Newcastle and Wyong so he’s well placed.”
The first race on Tuesday is at 1.50pm.
