Baker Puntin on emerging three-year-old at Rosehill races

Sydney’s winter may be quieter on the racing calendar, but it regularly produces new contenders for the upcoming spring. Puntin, trained by Bjorn Baker, could be one such horse when he lines up in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) this Saturday at Rosehill.

The three-year-old son of Super Seth has delivered three wins and two second-place finishes in five starts, returning from a spell with a strong second at Canterbury earlier this month.

His debut prep included wins at Nowra and in Sydney, and a close finish behind Point And Shoot in a Randwick mile race.

“He took all before him in his first preparation from winning a maiden at Nowra to winning in town and then running second to Point And Shoot, which is obviously good form,” explained Hilton.

“His first-up run was fantastic over an unsuitable distance and steps up to 1400 on Saturday. He is a lovely horse.”

Hilton sees the 1400m trip as a key progression in Puntin’s path toward higher-class racing.

“What he showed us first preparation in terms of natural improvement and progression, it should see him step up to a nice class,” he said.

Thunderlips also flies the stable flag in the Schweppes Handicap (1500m), after performing consistently on heavy surfaces in recent weeks.

“He will have to bring his wet form to dry, but we’re confident he couldn’t be going any better,” Hilton noted.

“He is one of the most improved horses in our stable.

“We had a huge opinion of him as a two-year-old. We ran him in stakes races and he is slowly getting back there.”

Bettors keen to follow Puntin and Thunderlips in their weekend assignments can explore odds and markets via the leading Australian betting websites.