Jeff Lloyd has answered a last-minute call from New Zealand trainer Murray Baker to ride Fully Fledged in the Group One Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on Saturday.Lloyd and Baker enjoyed success when they joined forces to win the AJC Australian Derby in April last year with Nom Du Jeu.Fully Fledged comes into the $NZ1 million, 1200-metre race after finishing second to Accardo in the Listed Newmarket Handicap over Saturday's distance at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.Baker originally had lightweight Mel

Jeff Lloyd has answered a last-minute call from New Zealand trainer Murray Baker to ride Fully Fledged in the Group One Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on Saturday.

Lloyd and Baker enjoyed success when they joined forces to win the AJC Australian Derby in April last year with Nom Du Jeu.

Fully Fledged comes into the $NZ1 million, 1200-metre race after finishing second to Accardo in the Listed Newmarket Handicap over Saturday's distance at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Baker originally had lightweight Melbourne jockey Stephen Baster booked to ride Fully Fledged who has 51.5kg but he was a late withdrawal because of a family illness.

"Jeff's a top-class rider and will do a great job I'm sure," Baker said.

"You don't really have to give Jeff any instructions, so there's no problems getting him late like we have and this horse is pretty adaptable anyway."

In the Newmarket, Fully Fledged showed his versatility when he led from barrier one only to be reeled in in the closing stages.

That performance was in contrast to his barnstorming late charge from near the back of the field to win the Listed Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa in October last year.

"He was a bit fresh in the Newmarket and when a horse came up beside in the run he pulled a bit hard but it was a good run in the end considering it was his first start in six or seven weeks," Baker said.

Fully Fledged has won three of his 12 starts including the Group One Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie in March.

That came two starts after he looked to have the Group Two Challenge Stakes at Trentham in his keeping with 200 metres to go before he jumped the inside running rail.

"He's settled down a fair bit from that run I'm pleased to say," Baker said.

And Baker was pleased to see Fully Fledged draw barrier four.

"It's a good barrier for him, he should be able to stay out of trouble and Jeff can put him wherever he feels he's comfortable," Baker said.

His draw is in contrast to Australia's only representative in the race, the Anthony Cummings-trained Turffontein who has barrier 19.

Turffontein is the favourite on the NZ TAB at $6.50 while Fully Fledged is second pick at $7.