One is a stakes winner, the other a promising stayer but stablemates Positive Peace and She’s Ideel will both have a point to prove when they contest separate races at Rosehill.
Positive Peace will kick off her spring in Saturday’s Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill following a breakthrough season in which she progressed from midweek grade to win the Group Two Emancipation Stakes.
The onus is on her to back that up and prove she is a genuine stakes-grade horse.
Having put the polish on black-type mares the ilk of Champagne Cuddles and Egyptian Symbol, Baker is confident Positive Peace is up to the task.
“She has definitely come back better. She is stronger than she has been and her trackwork suggests she is more forward than what she has been,” Baker said.
“She’s exciting. She is right up there with those good mares for sure.”
A first-up winner, Positive Peace has not featured in two recent barrier trials, the latest when fifth to star colt Farnan.
But from a perfect draw in barrier three and with her race day gear on, Baker expects a bold performance.
“The blinkers on make a world of difference. What you see at the trials and what you see on Saturday will be two different horses,” Baker said.
“She has got a good gate so hopefully we will be able to ‘posi’ up in the first four or five and she’s not out of it. I give her a really good each-way chance.”
She’s Ideel lines up in the Cleanaway Handicap (1800m) after a solid return over an unsuitable 1500 metres when she warmed up late for fifth.
Baker is cautious about her awkward draw in nine but the mare is on trial for bigger spring goals.
“I’d like to think she’s up to black-type. I think she is, it’s just a matter of finding the right race,” Baker said.
“I believe the best is yet to come and once she gets to 2000 and beyond you will see a better horse again.”
Bobby Dee rounds outs Baker’s Rosehill team and the trainer predicts a much improved showing after the gelding endured a tough first up run.