Trainer Bjorn Baker is struggling to separate the stable’s two highly rated mares chasing the Group Two Breeders’ Classic at Warwick Farm.
Bookmakers also have the pair tight in the market with Egyptian Symbol ($3.60) shading Bonnie O’Reilly ($3.90) on the eve of Saturday’s $200,000 Breeders Classic for mares over 1200m.
Egyptian Symbol has already had two starts this campaign while Bonny O’Reilly will be having her first start since October.
“Egyptian Symbol has the form this preparation and Bonny O’Reilly goes really well first-up, so there’s not much between them,” Baker said.
Egyptian Symbol won the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) in December, and after a freshen-up she ran third behind Viddora and Snitzkraft in last month’s Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
“She’s come through the Magic Millions run in really good order. She was second in this race to In Her Time last year and I think she’s going as well as she was last year,” Baker said.
Bonny O’Reilly has won twice first-up from three attempts and Baker was not concerned she will jump from barrier eight of nine.
“A 1200 at Warwick Farm will suit her. Her trials have been great and she looks good. She’ll go forward and Egyptian Symbol will be just off them,” he said.
Baker said the $1 million Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 10 remained the goal for Goodfella.
The colt comes into the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) off two placings behind Pierata during the Queensland summer carnival including a second in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas.
“He’s Mister Consistent. He’s in really good order, and underestimated,” Baker said.
“He’s definitely not out of it. He’s won almost $800,000. That tells you how much class he’s got.”
Godolphin colt Kementari is the pre-race favourite for his first start since he was unplaced in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on November.
“He’s shown that he gets better as he gets deeper into his preparation, but I think he can run a really cheeky race,” trainer James Cummings said.
