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There’s an air of confidence about trainer Bjorn Baker that consistent stayer Parry Sound can snap a run of placings in Saturday’s Listed $150,000 XXXX Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
The five-year-old is in his first preparation with Baker and steps out to the staying trip for the first time since he was runner-up in the Magic Millions Trophy on the Gold Coast in January.
Bjorn Baker regards Parry Sound as his best winning chance on the day and while the Winter Cup is no gimme he said everything about the race looks to suit him.
"The thing about him is he's so switched off and so relaxed so up to the 2400m he should be a really good chance,'' Baker said.
"He was really good in the Magic Millions 2400m race, though I didn't have him then. I have a bit of confidence, he's genuine and he tries whether the track is wet or dry.
"He probably just needs a little bit of luck, he has a good gate and Jason Collett on so we're pretty happy with him."
Parry Sound, $4.20 favourite with TAB on Thursday, followed his brave second at Gosford over 2100m a month ago with a narrow defeat at the hands of Polly Grey in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) two weeks back.
Baker said he's pleased with how the gelding has trained on and is even more pleased his nemesis from last start isn't among his rivals.
"He was super last time and he's been knocking on the door,'' he said.
"We've been thrilled with how he's going and his last run was excellent. We haven't had to do a whole heap with him since.
"He was beaten by one of the more in-form Sydney based horses, Polly Grey has been dead set flying so I thought he was really game."
The Warwick Farm trainer, currently sitting in third in the Sydney Trainers Premiership, has a big team engaged at Rosehill and among them is looking for positive first-up runs from He's A Hotshot and Matowatakpe in the ACY Securities Handicap (1200m).
Both horses have a first-up record of three placings from four attempts and in sorting out their chances Baker said He's A Hotshot ($8) would prefer a good track while he's sure Matowatakpe ($12) can return to form after a disappointing summer.
"I've been really happy with him this preparation, he looks a lot better and he's going well,'' he said of the latter.
"Both have only had the one trial and have done plenty of work so I'm happy from that point of view. If they run up to their best they are right in the race."
He also has dual representation in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m) with Bring The Ransom resuming and Exotic Ruby coming off a close up fourth over the same course on May 22.
The former was $17 with TAB on Thursday while Exotic Ruby was a $7 chance.
"Exotic Ruby has drawn well, she's been running well,'' he said.
"She handles everything and she's rock hard fit and from gate one she's not going to do a lot of work.
"Bring the Ransom is another horse I'm really happy with. She bled last time but I've always had a lot of time for her, she's come back in great order and from gate four she should be a big chance.
"I think she's ready to go."
Bring The Ransom ran a slashing fourth when resuming last preparation before a second-up win on The Hunter program at Newcastle.