Baraqiel to trial blinkers for Newmarket Handicap push

Baraqiel faces an uphill battle with the weights in pursuit of success in one of the nation's premier short-distance contests, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

Post-1973 metric weight implementation, merely three runners have prevailed in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) carrying more than 57.5kg, with the race set for Saturday.

In 2012, Hay List toted 58.5kg to win, preceded by Black Caviar's unbeaten 58kg haul a year earlier, identical to Shaftesbury Avenue in 1991.

Matching Baraqiel's 57.5kg, Redkirk Warrior secured a repeat victory in 2018, having previously succeeded with 52.5kg.

Although the weight handicaps Baraqiel, his training team of Leon and Troy Corstens plus Will Larkin maintain it can be overcome.

For the debut use of blinkers, Baraqiel seeks another elite-level win after his spring triumph in the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Baraqiel's Saturday engagement represents his second outing this preparation, coming off a fourth-placing to Tentyris in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 14.

Beaten by 1.6 lengths there, he now enjoys a 3kg swing in weights.

"I reckon he's improved a lot out of that first-up run," Larkin said.

"We trialled him last Friday just to tick him over and he's going there in good order.

"We weren't there to give him a real good test in the trial. We put the blinkers on him for the first time, and we wanted to get him out the back and see if he would settle.

"He managed that really well, so the blinkers will go on him on Saturday."

The Flemington straight is anticipated to benefit late closers on Saturday, but Larkin is content with barrier three rather than trading it.

According to him, the draw complements Baraqiel given the gelding's inclination to lay in, and the chance to be pocketed for a big finish is advantageous.

"I prefer the inside draw to one outside," Larkin said.

"We're going to try and ride him like we did in the Moir. Smother him in there and leave it all late as his turn of foot is his asset and hopefully that gets him to the line."

Baraqiel is slated for the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on March 21 post-Saturday, with further steps undecided.

"The William Reid has always been his Grand Final," Larkin said.

"He'll spin around the bend, third-up, which looks like it will shape up as a good race.

"After that we have got plenty of options for good prize money. There have been some talks about The Quokka or may be going up to Sydney as well."

Visit the online bookmakers to find the keenest racing odds for the Newmarket Handicap.