Bjorn Baker believes Arapaho is in the right form to mount a serious challenge for a second Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) crown at Rosehill on Saturday.
The eight-year-old gelding, who won the Group 1 feature in 2023, missed last year’s edition but returns this weekend looking to become just the third dual winner of the weight-for-age staying test after Tie The Knot and Octagonal.
Arapaho has been building nicely this preparation, finishing fifth in both the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) before a strong second to Vauban in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 15.
Vauban is also expected to line up in the Tancred.
“He’s going great,” Baker said.
“Of course, he won the race two years ago and his runs this preparation have been outstanding, it’s hard to think he’s not going better than ever.
“The 2400 metres suits, that’s probably his best distance, he looks good and I think he definitely has a really good chance.
“I think with a bigger field and more tempo (than his last start) it will suit.”
Arapaho also claimed the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield last spring and the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) back in 2022.
Rachel King, who has built a strong partnership with the son of Lope De Vega, will again be in the saddle.
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