Malkovich set to contest Kensington Stakes

Posted by RS NewsWire at 7:44am on December 19th

When Bjorn Baker travels a horse from his Sydney base to run at Flemington over the sprint trips, they’re usually not coming for just an outing.

Following up on Ozzomosis’ victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Malkovich starts in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) which highlights the Rapid Racing card on Wednesday.

With all of the races being run down the sprinting trips down the Flemington straight, Baker’s knack for setting horses for black type events with success there cannot be overlooked.

Malkovich’s last run at Flemington delivered a narrow win in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) in March 2022.

Before that, the now six-year-old gelding finished second to Halvorsen – who also starts in the Kensington Stakes – in the Listed Century Stakes also over the 1000-metre straight dash in November 2021.

“He’s got a good record over the 1000-metres,” Baker said of Malkovich who is by 2003 Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) winner Choisir.

“Being just beaten by Halvorsen a couple of years ago, it looks like it will be a good re-match.

“He was good first-up over 1100-metres and back to the 1000-metres should suit and he seems really bright and well.”

Being back in that familiar territory and coming into this event after a third placing in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill earlier this month, Baker said that with his string of luck at Flemington combined with the drop back in distance second-up, Malkovich is ready to go on Wednesday.

“I’ve had a good run there,” Baker said of the Flemington.

“I had Overpass winning the Inglis three-year-old race, Malkovich winning and Ozzmosis.

“It has worked out well down the straight.”

While uncertain why he has developed such a knack for winning races down the straight, but Baker thinks that having a jump out course that runs about 800-metres in a straight line at Warwick Farm helps his horses becoming more accustomed to racing without a turn.

The Kensington Stakes is the first of Melbourne’s summer sprinting features through December and January.

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th