Trainer Bjorn Baker has no concerns about his filly Imposing Lass drawing a wide barrier in the Group 2 $175,000 Magic Millions The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Imposing Lass, blue and gold colours above, can overcome a wide barrier in The Roses at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Imposing Lass came up with barrier eighteen in the original draw for The Rose in a field of sixteen plus five emergencies.
With three of the emergencies drawing inside of her, Imposing Lass could move into gate fifteen when the field is reduced to sixteen runners at scratching time on Saturday morning.
Imposing Lass is the winner of her last four starts when she set the pace and Baker can see her using her natural speed to cross from the wide gate and set the pace again.
“I’m not too worried about the barrier because she has natural speed and she had plenty up her sleeve when she won last time,’’ Baker told The Courier-Mail.
Imposing Lass has worked her way up through the classes this preparation before leading all of the way to win the Listed $125,000 All-New Jaguar XE Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7.
“I thought she was a bit vulnerable last start going to 1800m after two soft wins, but she could not have been more impressive,” Baker said.
“Her work has been terrific this week and she is a filly with a good presence who is hard not to like.’’
Jason Collett has ridden Imposing Lass at her last three starts and gets the mount again in The Roses.
Following her win at the Gold Coast, the Makfi filly was installed the $6 favourite for the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4 and a win in The Roses will see her maintain her spot at the top of the market order.
The John O’Shea trained Ambience has drawn favourably at gate four with James McDonald to ride and has firmed in from $7 to share favouritism at Ladbrokes.com.au for The Roses at $5 with Imposing Lass and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Falkenberg who finished fourth in the Gold Coast Bracelet.
The Snowdens will also saddle up Self Esteem, next in the market order at $8 just ahead off the Chris Waller trained Chandana at $9.50.
Market order for The Roses at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 Ambience, Imposing Lass, Falkenberg, $8 Self Esteem, $9.50 Chandana, $18 Queen Of Wands, Dulverton, $19 Romantic Maid, Look To The Stars, $20 Lyricist, Dawnie Perfect, Alaskan Rose, $21 Kebede, Themis, $34 Sahara Siren, $41 Backstreet Lover, $51 Passion In Flight, Zasorceress, $61 Mystic Opal, $71 Sebring Sally, $81 Zafiki.
