Classic aspirations on the line for Weather With You

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday September 26

Champion New Zealand trainer Murray Baker has already won the Victoria Derby and is optimistic Weather With You can win a start in this year's classic with victory in Wednesday's Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington.

Advertisement
Weather With You. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Baker won the 2011 Victoria Derby with Lion Tamer and prepared the 2008 winner Kibbutz before the gelding was sold to clients of David Hayes.

Weather With You finished runner-up over 1400m on his first Australian start at Sandown on September 6 and will earn ballot exemption for the Victoria Derby if successful.

Like Australian Cup winner Humidor, Weather With You is by Teofilo and Baker, who prepares the gelding in partnership with Andrew Forsman, is confident of a forward showing.

"The race at Sandown was probably a bit short for him but he stuck on all right and he's done well since," Baker said.

"Under the circumstances I thought his run there was good and he will certainly be better suited stepping up to 1800 metres on a nice big track like Flemington.

"He ran second in the Champagne Stakes over 1600 metres at Ellerslie his last start as a two-year-old and that's when we thought he might be a Derby type of horse."

Weather With You cost $27,000 as a yearling and races in the colours of Lindsay De Souza for whom Baker trained Turn Me Loose to win at Group I level in Australia and New Zealand.

Wednesday's race will be the furthest Weather For You has tackled in four starts to date and Baker said he is expecting the increase in distance to suit.

"He's always shown us he'll make a stayer and we'll find out more tomorrow," Baker.

"Of course he has to prove he's good enough but he's a staying horse who should come into his own the further he goes."

Luke Nolen will be aboard Weather With You, available at $7 with several wagering operators, in the Victoria Derby Trial.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.