Impavido’s next assignment up in the air

Bjorn Baker is keeping an open mind regarding Impavido’s next step with two options in play.

The Warwick Farm trainer says the weather could determine whether Impavido starts at Rosehill on Saturday or Newcastle a day later.

Impavido was installed as the $3.70 TAB favourite for the Benchmark 85 Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill but he may bypass that race for a Class One and Maiden Plate (1850m) at Newcastle.

“We may go on Sunday yet. I’m still undecided. We’ll see what the weather does,” Baker said.

Rosehill was in the good range on Friday but thunderstorms were forecast and rain was also expected throughout race day.

Impavido won his maiden at Kembla Grange in January and later ran unplaced in the Group One Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby, all on wet tracks,

He returned from a spell in September and came close to winning at Randwick over 16oom in October, when he was beaten a half-neck by Mortar Platoon.

Baker is more optimistic about stablemate Collateral who steps up from 1800 to 2000 metres.

“Collateral is in good order, and he should be better suited at 2000,” Baker said.

The weather will also influence whether Redouble contests a Benchmark 80 Handicap (1400m) as the four-year-old gelding prefers solid footing.

Baker is upbeat about Coolring improving on his first-up seventh over 1200m on November 4 when the seven-year-old gelding drops back to 1100m.

“First-up he was always going to need it fitness-wise. I’m happy with what he’s done and how he looks,” Baker said.

Durable gelding Embley has his ninth run of this campaign in the November Topaz (1900m).