Injured Tamer to miss Derby

Lion Tamer, brilliant winner of the 2010 Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington, has suffered an injury that will put him out of the Group 1 AJC Derby (2400m, Randwick) in the autumn.

Co-trainer Murray Baker said he hoped to get Lion Tamer back into work in time for autumn races over a shorter distances, perhaps including the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m, Randwick).

“He won’t make it to the Derby, he won’t be ready. But, if we can get started on him soon, then there are other options for him, especially later in the Sydney carnival,” he said.

Baker, who shares the training with his son Bjorn, said that Lion Tamer spelled “brilliantly” after his sensational win at Flemington, but kicked out in his box on his first day back into work at the Bakers’ Cambridge stables.

“He put a hole in his leg just below the hock that you could put two fingers in to. Fortunately, he didn’t damage any tendons, but he has spent a month in the box, and we can only start working him when the cut heals completely. It is just about closed up, so next week is a possibility of getting him back trotting,” he said.

Baker added that he was shocked how much Lion Tamer has grown. “He is generally regarded as a horse on the small side; not any more.”

Baker believes Lion Tamer could develop into an ideal Cox Plate horse in the spring. “He showed he handles Moonee Valley with his terrific second (behind Rekindled Interest) in the AAMI Vase when he ran the same time as So You Think did in the Cox Plate. He (Lion Tamer) is a lot more than a wet tracker. I think this is a horse that will keep improving. I have been told that his run in the Derby was one of the highest rating Derby wins for many years.”

Baker is more pleased with the progress of his star filly We Can Say It Now, who will resume in the Group 1 Waikato Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 12 before she heads to Melbourne for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5.

Baker said the filly’s owner and breeder Paul Makin had a burning ambition to revenge the defeat of her sire Starcraft in the Guineas in 2004, when the unbeaten Reset beat him in a thrilling finish. “It’s the race he wants of all to win, and she should be spot on for it as she has come back from her short break in great form.”

Baker said was unsure of the program for Caulfield Cup runner-up Harris Tweed, although he is considering bringing the gelding to Melbourne for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m, Flemington) on March 12 before heading to Sydney for the Group 1 The BMW (2400m, Rosehill) and/or the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m, Randwick). He also reports that his other top stayer, Mr. Tipsy, who hasn’t started since winning at Tauranga last March, was ready to race after a successful throat operation.

Mr Tipsy finished third behind Ista Kareem in the 2009 Sydney Cup after finishing second in the 2009 Group 1 Auckland Cup. “He is moving along well on the track, and hopefully we can get him to Sydney. He is still only six and lightly raced.”

Finally, the Bakers have entered there fast filly Twilight Savings for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12. “She’s a weight-for-age winner against older horses with a terrific turn-of-foot. The Newmarket might be the right race for her, although a lot depends on Black Caviar.”

The breeding lines:

Lion Tamer (b c 3, Storming Home (GB)-Lioness (NZ), by Generous (IRE))

We Can Say It Now (ch f 3, Starcraft (NZ)-We Can’t Say That (NZ), by Generous (IRE))

Harris Tweed (b g 5, Montjeu (IRE)-Sally (NZ), by Prized (USA))

Mr Tipsy (b g 6, Montjeu (IRE)-Fairy Tipsy (NZ), by Casual Lies (USA))

Twilight Savings (b f 3, Secret Savings (USA)-Ghemashah, by Danewin)

Photo: Lion Tamer, with jockey Hugh Bowman in early celebration, careers away with the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington.