Baker sweating on good barrier draws for Slipper pair

[Wandering Eyes]

In an open Golden Slipper, trainer Bjorn Baker knows Tuesday’s barrier draw will be key to the chances of his two hopefuls.

 

Bjorn Baker’s two Golden Slipper contenders will have different build ups to the $5 million feature, with Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) set to be given a serious hit-out on Tuesday and Warwoven (Sword Of State) a quiet week.

 

Sword Of State colt Warwoven raced his way into the two-year-old showpiece with an emphatic win in Saturday’s Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) and will go into the March 21 race on a seven-day back-up.

 

It wasn’t the route Baker initially hoped to take, but with the colt borderline to gain a start if he didn’t bank more prizemoney, the trainer’s hand was forced.

 

“You never quite know on the back up. It’s always a tricky business,” Baker said.

 

“But he couldn’t have done much more (on Saturday).

 

“It’s good to see him back and win that way. He had to do a fair bit early. Obviously, we will be very interested to see how he recovers and comes through and hopefully he can be there with Paradoxium, in the same (Cunningham family) colours, next week.”

 

While Warwoven will be given every chance to rest and recover, Baker confirmed Paradoxium will wind up his Golden Slipper preparations with a workout on Tuesday morning.

 

“Paradoxium will have a good gallop on Tuesday. He galloped on Thursday, and I was thrilled with him. He has definitely improved,” Baker said.

 

“(Warwoven) will be able to have a very easy week and relax, unlike his trainer and connections.”

 

With Monday the deadline for late entries, the final field for the Golden Slipper (1200m) will be officially declared on Tuesday, followed by the all-important barrier draw.

 

Given no youngster has dominated in the lead-up, this year’s renewal is considered wide open, and Baker says that makes the draw even more crucial.

 

“So important. You can’t worry about it, but it definitely has a big impact,” he said.

 

Rachel King retains the Slipper mount on Warwoven, while Jason Collett sticks with Paradoxium.

 

“And I’d say there’s probably not too much between them on what we’re seeing at the moment,” Baker said.

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