3 minute read

Group 1 winner Ozzmosis makes his highly anticipated return in a competitive renewal of The Galaxy.

The Newmarket Handicap victory by Cylinder has given Bjorn Baker a timely confidence boost as Ozzmosis prepares to tackle the older sprinters for the first time in The Galaxy.

There had been a school of thought that the three-year-old form wasn't as strong this season, however, Baker pointed to Cylinder's rousing win over top mare Imperatriz as indication that assumption might have been premature.

"I guess you can argue Cylinder turned it around a little bit for the three-year-olds," Baker said.

"But at the end of the day, you've got to worry about your own horse and some of those things are out of our control.

"We've taken a different path the whole way and I'm comfortable with that path."

Ozzmosis stamped himself as one of the country's best up-and-coming sprinters with a dominant performance in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) last spring.

It was his fourth win in five starts and with the benefit of a good spell, Baker believes the time is right to test the waters against the more seasoned sprinters, starting in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

"It's up against the older horses so that's another step up, but he's in good order and he has had a good grounding," Baker said.

"He deserved a good break after the Coolmore and he looks great physically so we're really happy with him.

"If anything, he only had a short break after his first preparation. He has had a proper break this time and he is definitely more mature now."

Ozzmosis has prepared for his return with two barrier trials and a strong exhibition gallop at Randwick last week.

Regular rider Rachel King will again be aboard in The Galaxy where Ozzmosis ($4.20 fav) has barrier 13 in the field of 14 plus four emergencies.

Private Eye ($7.50) has also drawn out in 14, while Godolphin's Aft Cabin has firmed from $8 into $5 after coming up with gate eight.