Bjorn has made a case at massive odds.
Trainer Bjorn Baker can mount a case for his gelding Sandpaper in this Saturday’s $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange.
The Godolphin-owned six-year-old is third-up at 1600m and is considered over the odds in the mind of Baker.
Sandpaper is currently $34 for The Gong with Sportsbet and will jump from barrier 11 (which will come in after scratchings) for Ash Morgan.
“He’s not completely out of it,” Baker said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.
“He has run two good races this time in and last time in particular we were jumping up to the mile (1500m). I thought he wasn’t going to be spot on.
“I think second time at a mile on Saturday is going to be much better suited. He gets into a pretty good gate with the emergencies coming out.
“He’ll be able to jump, put himself in the first few, and he’s a lot fitter for that last run. He looks fantastic and I can definitely mount a case for him.”
Baker’s other runner in the race is Amor Victorious who was most recently eighth in the $3 million Russell Balding (1300m) at Randwick on November 1.
Also a six-year-old gelding, Amor Victorious will be ridden by Rachel King from barrier 1.
“I’m hoping that Gong is not reverberating though his head and he can go in with a clear mind, because it is pretty damn loud,” Baker laughed.
“He’s in great order. I thought he was really good in the Russell Balding after a long time off. He looks fantastic, he had a great trial and he’s got gate 1.
“There’s the possibility of a little bit of rain around as well which would be positive. He’d be able to put himself right there, I think he’ll lead and he’s got good form at a mile.
“He’s definitely a show in what is a really tough race. Obviously the favourite (Gringotts) is going to be very hard to beat.”
Amor Victorious is currently rated a $10 hope versus Sandpaper’s massive odds.
Baker stated: “I don’t think there’s too much between him and Amor Victorious.”
Ciaron Maher’s Gringotts is the $2.10 favourite for The Gong.
The Kiwi trainer also had a cheeky jibe for the Australian cricket team with the first Ashes Test set to get underway in Perth on Friday.
“The aptly named Sandpaper the day after the Test starts with Dad’s Army coming out,” Baker said of the ageing Aussies.
“The oldest cricket team ever. I only support two teams in cricket - New Zealand and any team playing Australia. It’s been a tough 47 years.”
Baker has one other runner at Kembla Grange on Saturday - Midnight Dynamite in Race 10, a BM78.
The stable will also have Iowna Merc in the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ascot over 1600m.
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