The Baker pair are approaching their best shot at the $500,000 Lakes in Wyong

“His first-place ride was excellent and his ride at Ingham was great, so it was good to see him replicate that form,” Baker said.

“He’s a good horse in his day, a Group 2 winner, so it’s nice to have him back and going into a race like Lakes drawn in Gate 2, a speed horse, you’ll definitely go into it with a bit of confidence.

“You never quite know if you’re going to get them back, but it definitely shows that even though he’s not at his best, he’s very close to it.”

Baker has several runners under his belt, including the renewal of four-year-old Puntin, last signed from $8 to $4.

“He’s had a few trials and we’ve done a lot with him at home so I think he’s ready for the first 1350m race,” Baker said.

“He’s a horse that might take a run or two to get to his best, but we’re happy with him.

On the Gold Coast, Baker backed Swordplay to give the opposition something to chase in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight Plate (1100m).

The filly Shalaa, who has won three of four starts this preparation, had an $11 chance with Rachel King to run in the second year of the slot race for three-year-olds. He faces a tough task against a class field from the outside gate at 12.

“She’s had a few runs this time but we’re very happy with her and she’s very quick, especially out of the gate, so that could give us a chance,” said Baker, who has favorite Warwoven in next week’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

“I’d be surprised if she didn’t go ahead.

Snowden is keeping his fingers crossed for sunshine in the straight

Randwick trainer Peter Snowden is confident fast-finishing Akaysha will get the hot pace she needs in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight Plate (1100m) on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Now he just needs luck in the straights.

The Capitalist filly beat stablemate Beadman on debut at Kembla but is winless in six races since, despite never finishing outside the top four, including three stakes grade finishes.

In first place and from the first gate with Tom Sherry to drive, she was a $6.50 TAB chance for Saturday’s slot race for three-year-olds.

Snowden hoped the inside draw would prove a positive in the 12-horse field, where all the early speed is drawn up the middle and outside.

“The horse that others run after is the winner Slipper.” [Marhoona]a horse that ran second at Coolmore [My Gladiola]and the last launch was heavily disrupted and the one that caused the most disruption [Inkaruna] he went out and won the $1 million race the next week,” Snowden said.

“She’s been in very strong form in every race she’s done and there wouldn’t be anything in this one that has the form she’s got, but she’s a runner and she’ll need luck.”

“She just has to stay out of trouble, you let her find her feet and hope the runs come when you want them.

“It’s good to draw one, but it’s not so good if you can’t use it.

“She got beaten in the straight at Flemington, then at the next start at Caulfield she pulled one and jumped and they didn’t go hard. She was third and she was pulling her brain out and she didn’t finish as well as she could have.”

“She’s got a great finish if they go fast and she loosens up. She’ll get the pace to suit here but we need luck if we want it on the straight.”

Snowden also has Miss Freelove as emergency for the race and the $3.10 favorite for the $250,000 consolation where she drew well at four.

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“In the right race she would be competitive, but when she’s in the consolation it probably gives her a bit more of a chance,” he said.

Stablemate Johnny ($10) is third in the race.

“He’s got good fresh form, he’s a good starting point and hopefully he’ll get a check,” he said.

Snowden said Seeiaye, who pulled out of next week’s Magic Millions Classic, “has gone on quite a spell and we’ll probably spice it up.”