King, Baker chasing Sunshine Coast feature double
It has been a momentous few weeks for Rachel King on a personal front, and the top jockey will be looking to parlay that into racetrack success with a strong book of rides at the Sunshine Coast.
King returned home to England last month to marry Luke Hilton, racing manager for trainer Bjorn Baker, and while there she fulfilled a childhood dream to ride at Royal Ascot.
After a brief honeymoon, she was back in the saddle with two mounts at Canterbury on Wednesday but will up the ante with a full book of nine rides in Queensland this weekend, including two feature race chances for the Baker stable.
One of those will be Wategos at 54.5kg in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m), and while the hoop isn’t having any post-honeymoon weight battles, Baker says the same can’t be said for her new husband.
“I think Luke put on enough weight for all of us,” Baker quipped.
Wategos has been in a purple patch of form since his arrival in Queensland, posting a Doomben win in May and following it with a brace of black-type placings.
He is proven in heavy ground and that is shaping as a crucial statistic with the Caloundra track rated in the heavy range on Wednesday and further rain forecast.
“He’s going well and he’s pretty adaptable on all track conditions,” Baker said.
“He’s drawn the middle of the pack, eight of fifteen, so he’ll be able to put himself in the first four to six and I think he’s a big chance.
“He gets down in the weights, Rachel King rides. He’s going to be very competitive.”
King will also reunite with Alegron for Baker in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m).
Overseas for the horse’s last-start Brisbane Cup success, King did land a Group 3 win aboard Alegron for his former trainer James Cummings and Baker predicted another bold showing from his recent stable recruit.
“Rachel goes on him, she has ridden him earlier in his career and she knows him well,” Baker said
“He was very good in the Brisbane Cup, he’s had three weeks between runs, he’s dropping in trip and he seems to be thriving in Queensland.
“He’s got a pretty good gate so we will put him where he’s comfortable and I think he’ll really appreciate the big Sunshine Coast track.”
King’s feature race book also includes promising three-year-old Know Thyself for Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich in the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m).
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...