Kiwi colt Saracino has arrived in Australia in top order as he prepares to run in the Group 2 $200,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Damien Oliver, above, will ride Kiwi colt Saracino in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Caulfield Cup winning trainer Murray Baker can’t fault Saracino who will be ridden by Damien Oliver in the Danehill stakes.
“He has travelled very well and we are very happy with him,” Baker told racing.com.
“He has settled in and he is a relatively quiet colt.”
Saracino will head into the Danehill Stakes fairly fit, coming off a win at weight for age in the Group 2 NZ$100,000 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in New Zealand on August 13.
“He was a fit horse and I think a few of the older horses were just getting going so it is a bit hard to equate where he is at,” Baker said.
“We are hoping he can run a good 1200m, whether he is quick enough tomorrow we will find out.”
Baker is not concerned if the forecast rain for Melbourne results in a track downgrade at Flemington following his win at Te Rapa on a rain affected track.
“He goes a bit with the cut in the track so it would help him a bit,” Baker said.
“We are hoping he goes a good race.”
Oliver got a feel of Saracino in a recent jumpout and Baker is happy that the champion jockey will stick with him i the Danehill Stakes.
“The feedback from Damien was good, he seems to think the horse is in good order so that helps because he is the top of the tree in this part of the world,” Baker said.
Baker is uncertain how Saracino will handle the run down the Flemington straight but is expecting him to take up a forward position after showing plenty of early pace in his four race starts.
“He has led in his four races but he doesn’t have to, he is a good barrier horse, probably hope he just runs off the pace,” Baker said.
Saracino shares the second line of betting at $7 with Archives at Ladbrokes.com.au and takes on last start McNeil Stakes winner Defcon who has been installed the $4.20 favourite.
Danehill Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 Defcon, $7 Saracino, Archives, $8 Samara Dancer, Highland Beat, $10 Dam Ready, $11 Wazzenme, $12 Hardham, $14 Dreams Aplenty, $17 Valliano, $31 Trenchant, $41 Jaws Of Steel.
