Renaissance Woman targeting Queensland Guineas and Queensland Oaks

An 11th hour decision by Bjorn Baker has resulted in a delayed start to the campaign of three-year-old filly Renaissance Woman.

The daughter of Reliable Man was set to resume at Randwick on Saturday in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) but Baker made the last minute call to scratch the filly.

“I debated long and hard then at 7.29am I decided not to run her,” he said.

“I reckon she’s maybe half a gallop short so on the heavy ground I just didn’t want the first-up run taking too much out of her.

“She’s got a bit campaign ahead. If it was a soft (7) she would have run.”

Punters won’t have to wait too long to see the Group 3 winner kick off her 2023 season with Baker identifying a $200,000 Group 3 event as the new starting point.

The three-year-old has been turned up for her autumn return with two trials, the latest a fast-finishing performance to win a 1030m Rosehill trial.

“I’m holding her back for the James Carr Stakes next week over 1400m against the fillies,” he said.

“I think she’s going really well.

“She’s definitely come back a better horse than the spring.

“I know Josh Parr is excited by how she’s going.

“He can’t ride her next week but he’ll get back on her.”

Baker has ambitious autumn/winter plans for Renaissance Woman after electing to bypass the majority of the Sydney autumn carnival.

“After resuming at Randwick she’s heading to Queensland for three runs.

“The Queensland Guineas, Doomben Roses and the Queensland Oaks.

“I’m really looking forward to her returning because I think she’s going very well.”