Baker In Three State Assault

It's A Dundeel heads a three-state assault from Murray Baker this week. Photo by: Steve Hart.

You could forgive Australia’s trainers if they are sick of seeing Murray Baker.

Already dominating the autumn racing headlines with star colt It’s A Dundeel, the astute New Zealand trainer will employ a cross-country raid this week.

Heading Baker’s trio is of course It’s A Dundeel who will start an odds-on favourite against the older horses in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

The Sydney three-year-old triple crown winner is chasing a fourth straight Group 1 win and received a glowing report from new jockey Michael Rodd after trackwork this morning.

Not content with taking the riches and glory from some of Sydney’s biggest races, Baker also has Serpent entered for an Anzac Day hit-out in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington and Her To Eternity gunning for Group 1 honours in Adelaide’s Australasian Oaks (2000m).

Baker told AAP he will use the VRC St Leger as a measuring stick as to whether Serpent can also be given a shot in the top grade in next month’s South Australian Derby.

“I’d like to go to Adelaide. I haven’t won a Derby there. The closest I’ve come was when The Phantom came second in 1989,” Baker said.

The son of Chinese Dragon showed a slight lack of fitness when sixth on Australian debut last Saturday week but was a strong winner in the NZ St Leger (2500m) last month.

Her To Eternity also failed to produce her best in her first Australian start, finishing sixth at Sandown on Wednesday, but won her two previous starts prior to arriving.

The Pentire filly will to have overcome a barrier 17 draw against after drawing the widest in the $400,000 fillies’ feature.

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