MURRAY Baker is happy with the barrier gods, but now needs the weather gods to smile on him in Saturday’s Randwick Guineas. NZ 2000 Guineas winner Atlante drew favourably in gate 5 in the $600,000 while major rivals Dissident and El Roca drew 13 and 14 respectively in the 15-horse field. Stablemate Show The World, having his first start since winning the Group 2 Championship Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, has drawn barrier 7. Nash Rawiller takes the ride. Baker, who is flying back to Sydney today, noted that everyone has their share of good, bad and indifferent draws and he was pleased to land a good draw in the Group 1. “Everyone has their turn, but I’m happy with where he’s drawn, but he does need a firm track to show his best,” Baker said.
“He ran well the other day on a slow track, but he’s so much better on top of the ground. Atlante ran a gallant second, beaten a head, in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes by Dissident at his first run since winning the NZ 2000 Guineas in early November. Baker said Atlante had progressed well from his first-up run and from his gate, the colt should be able to take up a prominent position.