Bjorn Baker ponders Bonny O’Reilly options

The barrier draw will determine which of two races Bonny O’Reilly competes in at Rosehill.

Bjorn Baker has taken an each-way punt on the barrier draw for Rosehill after throwing in a late nomination for Bonny O’Reilly in the Group Two Shannon Stakes.

The five-year-old was originally focused on the Group Two Golden Pendant (1400m) on Saturday but the extra 100m of the Shannon also also appeals, subject to Wednesday’s final field.

“We’ll consider our options and see how the draw goes with Bonny O’Reilly,” Baker said.

“She’s a horse that needs a good draw.”

Bonny O’Reilly won a Benchmark 95 Handicap first-up from barrier one at Rosehill on August 26.

She did not fare so well from barrier 12 a fortnight later in the Group Three Sheraco Stakes, running fifth after being checked on the turn and galloped on.

Baker already had Lubiton dually nominated for the Pendant and Shannon Stakes (1500m) while a third stablemate, Imposing Lass, also joined the nominations for the latter on Tuesday.

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Baker said Imposing Lass, who is targeting next month’s Group Three Angst Stakes (1500m) at Randwick, had recovered well from her fifth in the Group Two Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on Friday.

“She’s fit and well,” he said.

“I don’t think running her in the Shannon will be too much of a negative.”

Anthony and Edward Cummings were also hedging their bets with Screamarr after nominating the four-year-old for the Shannon Stakes and a Benchmark 90 Handicap (1400m).

“I wouldn’t have said he’d be totally out of place in a race like the Shannon but the smarter race is probably the 1400. It’s probably a more suitable trip for him at the moment,” Edward Cummings said.

Screamarr won a 1300m-Benchmark 78 Handicap at Warwick Farm on September 6 and Cummings thought a gradual step-up in distance was in order.

“I think the 1400 probably gives him a better chance to be just as dynamic second-up,” he said.