The campaigns for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s pair of Caulfield and Melbourne Cup hopes gets underway on Saturday, with Quick Thinker and The Chosen One set to kick off at Flemington.
Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Quick Thinker will contest the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), while year older stablemate The Chosen One steps out over 1700m in the Winning Edge Presentations Handicap.
Ex-pat Kiwi Mick Dee will ride both horses and Baker is pleased with the reports from travelling foreperson Aleisha Legg, with the duo ensconced in the visitors’ barn at Flemington.
“They’ve settled in in pretty well and the fact they have been there before is a big help,” Baker said. “They’re in the same boxes as last year.”
Both horses have had two trials in New Zealand ahead of their Melbourne campaign but are expected to improve for their respective runs, with Quick Thinker rated a $31 chance in the Makybe Diva, while The Chosen One will carry topweight in his fresh up assignment and is rated a $10 chance.
“I am picking that both of them will need the run, but we are pleased where they are at,” Baker said.
“We will see how they go on Saturday and then make a plan, but there are plenty of options in Melbourne in the spring.”
Quick Thinker is the highest rated Southern Hemisphere four-year-old in both Cups on 53.5kg, while Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runner-up The Chosen One has been allotted the same weight.
