Training genius Murray Baker conceded he is surprised boom three-year-old Aegon has come up as favourite for his attempt to overcome a hoodoo on Kiwi three-year-olds in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Aegon, unbeaten in four New Zealand starts including the 2000 Guineas and Karaka Millions, is the $3.90 favourite against one of the strongest Hobartville fields for some years.
But even Baker is unsure how Aegon will measure up against some of the best local three-year-olds in training.
“Aegon is a pretty good young horse but he has to make the step up,’’ Baker told
The Daily Telegraph from his Cambridge stable base. “It’s a bit harder in Australia than it is at home. This race is a bit of a learning curve but I hope he is up to it.’’