Baker tips Perfumist for sweet smell of success despite heavy weight

ATC Australian Derby-winning trainer Bjorn Baker will chase further success on Sunday when he sends talented mare Perfumist to contest the Peter Milling & Company ‘Peter Milling Memorial’ Wellington Showcase Cup (1700m).

The $100,000 event carries Big Dance eligibility and Baker believes not even a mammoth weight can stop Perfumist, which was scratched from Saturday’s Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick to be saved for the Wellington event.

“It does look a nice race for her, even allowing for the big weight,” Baker said of Perfumist, which will be ridden by three-kilogram claiming apprentice Liberty Smyth.

“She had 64 kilograms but that will come down to 61kgs after Liberty’s claim. It’s still a lot to carry but she does have the class edge on the field.

“To come out of a race like the Emancipation Stakes when beaten a little over five lengths, that looks good form for a Wellington Cup.”

Perfumist was in good form in the spring, scoring a win over Idle Flyer at Randwick before finishing second to that horse in the Angst Stakes.

“We gave her a crack at the Golden Eagle and, even though she ran 10th, she was beaten six lengths by a horse of the calibre of Autumn Glow,” said Baker.

“She’s an on-speed runner and has drawn gate three at Wellington so she should give them plenty to chase.”

Baker will chase the feature race double at Wellington with lightly raced filly Better Off Alone set to contest the Wellington Soldiers Memorial & Gold Club Wellington Boot Showcase (1100m).

Mathew Cahill will partner Better Off Alone in the $200,000 event for two-year-olds.

“She’s a filly we’ve always had a good opinion of,” said Baker.

“She debuted in the Gimcrack Stakes and ran really well in that event in Group 3 company. She resumed in another Group 3 at Flemington and then went to Muswellbrook for her latest start and ran a good second in the Starmaker.

“She’s clashing with the same filly [Hellenic Belle] that beat her at Muswellbrook but I’m hopeful she can turn the tables at Wellington.”

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