Baker looks to Rey for more Sydney success

By Warwick Barr

Bjorn Baker's stable numbers are on the rise and his stocks could improve further if Havana Rey wins at Rosehill on Saturday.

Havana Rey, a first-up Warwick Farm winner two starts ago, is one of the favourites for the Significant Stakes (1900m).

The three-year-old has easily delivered the best results for Baker since the well-known New Zealand horseman opened stables at Warwick Farm last year.

"I've been here less than 12 months and I only came over with three horses," he said.

"I've pretty much started from scratch and I've only had six winners or so but in the scheme of things that's not too bad on an average of eight to ten horses.

"There's twenty horses here now so we're going the right way."

Havana Rey made a winning return over 1400m as a $31 chance before finishing fifth over 1500m at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

"He's well and getting up to 1900 (metres) will give him some sort of chance," Baker said.

"I gave him one run over the distance at Canterbury last time in and he finished second to Satirical Boy who is a pretty promising horse."

Havana Rey will carry 57kg after apprentice Sam Clipperton's 2kg claim and is expected to work forward from a midfield gate in a race Baker concedes could provide an above average winter staying test for a field of 12 three-year-olds and the two-year-old Hurricane Henny.

"It's a bit tougher than you would expect with a horse like (last-start winner) Euryale in the race," he said.

Euryale was unplaced in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben last month but returned to Sydney to beat older horses on a heavy track at Rosehill.

The Darley filly heads betting at $4.60 with Havana Rey on the fourth line as an $8 chance.

© Australian Associated Press Pty Limited (AAP) 2012

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