Trainer Colin Webster is delighted with Baby Paris after his exciting sprinter dominated rivals in a barrier trial at Belmont today (Monday).
Baby Paris, ridden by Peter Knuckey, was in cruise mode for the majority of her 1000m trial, outclassing a handy field to win by a length.
At her first official public appearance since winning The Joey (1200m) in April, Baby Paris outclassed Searchin’ Roc’s and Weaponson comfortably.
A winner of five races from nine starts, Baby Paris has been highly rated since finishing second to boom mare Amelia’s Jewel in the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
Colin Webster confirmed Baby Paris will resume at Belmont with his long term plan the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot later this year.
“We’ll have to start her at Belmont,” Webster said.
“I want to get her rating points up for the Winterbottom.
“Where she is rated now she would be on the border line of getting in.
“There’s no point going for something if you are not rated for it.
“That’s why she’s in a bit earlier than we normally would have.”
Baby Paris jumped quickly in her heat to take up the running in front, clocking 59.59., the fastest time of the morning.
Webster said her fast beginning and attitude behind the barriers, which has posed problems in the past, were improved.
“Mentally, she was a lot better today (Monday),” Webster said.
“She went straight into the barrier and did everything right.
“That was one of our worries with her, the barrier of course.
“Peter (Knuckey) said she was very, very relaxed.
“I’m happy with her, her trial was good.”
Meanwhile, Bullsbrook trainer Jim Taylor has identified the Farnley Stakes (1400m) as the return point for Searchin’ Roc’s.
The Awesome Rock mare has bounced back strongly from a stomach complaint that nearly put an end to her racing career.
Also noted as barrier rogue, the five-year-old filled the same finishing position behind My Bella Mae in her trial two weeks earlier.
“It was a nice trial and she needed the hit out because she’s going to a 1400m first-up,” Taylor said.
“I’m very happy with her and we know when we put blinkers on her she’ll improve five lengths.
“Chris (Parnham) said she was perfectly behaved and you wouldn’t believe she is a barrier horse.”