The metropolitan contender Thebudgiesmugla boasts an unblemished record over 2400 metres from five starts and is set to make it six when he contests the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.
The six-year-old was a standout performer during the off-season, securing three victories from four outings between May and July. These included the Winter Cup at Randwick and the Caloundra Cup in Queensland, both contested over the same distance as Saturday’s race.
With the advantage of a recent fourth-place finish behind Boniface over a middle distance, Thebudgiesmugla is anticipated to be a formidable force at Randwick.
“He was great first-up and he’s five from five at the 2400 and gets 2400 again on Saturday,” trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, said.
“It wasn’t always in our mind to run Saturday. We were going to give him a bit of time into the Newcastle Cup, but this race came up, and it looked so good for him we decided to run him.”
“He is obviously a bit better with his toe in the ground, but he’s putting together some good performances on better ground as well.”
Thebudgiesmugla is currently the fourth favourite in early markets for The Metropolitan at $11 and is a $2.25 top selection for the Drinkwise Cup.
His primary rival could well be his stablemate, So You Are.
Although So You Are is a recent acquisition to the Baker stable, he finished less than a length behind Thebudgiesmugla in both the Winter and Caloundra Cups. Furthermore, So You Are finished ahead of his stablemate in their most recent starts.
However, Hilton believes that the horse, affectionately known as “Thebudgie”, has greater potential for improvement.
“So You Are had a little bit more residual fitness than TheBudgie first-up,” he said.
“He’s going to strip a bit fitter as well, but I’d say TheBudgie has got a bit more improvement to come.”
Remarkably, Baker only achieved his first city winner of the season when Appeared triumphed at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. The leading trainer had experienced an unlucky start to the new term, with seven second-place finishes, two of which were by the swift filly Blue Door in stakes races.
Punters looking for the best racing odds can find them at Australian betting sites.
