Baker's Frontman on ATC Derby Mission

Cambridge trainer Murray Baker is looking to land a pair of Sydney 3YO features for a remarkable sixth time with his exciting colt Frontman (Makfi-Imposingly, by Zabeel). Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, has a splendid record throughout Australasia, but no races have been better to him than the Gr2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) and the Gr1 Australian Derby (2400m), both of which he has won on a remarkable five occasions. He’s hopeful Frontman can give him his sixth victories in both the Tulloch, run at Rosehill on March 27, and the Derby a week later. Baker’s victories in the Derby, with Nom du Jeu (Montjeu), Dundeel (High Chaparral) – see below – Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor), Jon Snow (Iffraaj) and Quick Thinker (So You Think) – all since 2008 – are well-known. Few New Zealanders have had such a record in any top-level Australian race. Frontman, a full-brother to Baker’s 2017 Gr1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Bonneval, left for Sydney on Monday after just four races. He’s only been victorious once, at his debut, but showed his potential with a close third in the Gr1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 7. “He’s very similar to Bonneval, a nice type of horse with a good temperament,” Baker said. “He has been good since the Derby. He’s a well-bred horse that continues to improve, but they seem like quite a good crop in Australia this year.” If Frontman, who will join his stablemates Aegon (Sacred Falls), The Chosen One (Savabeel) and Quick Thinker in Sydney, gets to the Australian Derby he could well take on his Ellerslie conquerors, Rocket Spade (Fasntnet Rock) and Milford (Savabeel).