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Bjorn Baker will use Wednesday's Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle to determine where money-spinning colt Fuerza ends up this spring.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Baker is favouring the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick next month, but hasn't yet given up on the Caulfield Guineas.
“The Spring Champion is definitely on the agenda, and we'll use this as another stepping stone,” Baker said.
“If he was to do something great he's in the Caulfield Guineas but it's probably unlikely, the VRC Derby is obviously a chance as well.”
Fuerza was beaten a nose by Guelph in the Group 1 Champagne over the autumn, and had to wait until his 10th career start, at Newcastle two weekends back, to nab his maiden win.
That victory over the mile boosted his career earnings to almost a quarter of a million dollars.
Baker expected another strong showing from Fuerza.
“He's one horse that is going well, he's some sort of chance definitely,” Baker said.
“It's taken him a while but he's definitely a nice horse and hopefully we can build on that last win.”
The Spring Stakes has proven a key stepping stone for spring three-year-olds in recent years.
Twelve months back Gai Waterhouse's Proisir dominated the race before being narrowly beaten by It's A Dundeel in the Spring Champion.
Waterhouse has a two-pronged attack on the race this year, saddling up Equator and Rockabill.
Chris Waller has Vilanova, who ran second to Golden Rose winner Zoustar in the Sires Produce in Brisbane back in May.
Peter Moody meanwhile will saddle up Stamina, who beat home Golden Rose third placegetter Bull Point last month.
Baker is also taking Cantonese to Newcastle on Wednesday to run in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m).
The six-year-old who ran fifth resuming in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) is nominated for next month's Metropolitan, but Baker said Cantonese was unlikely to head towards the race.