Wieland and Bakersfield chasing more wins

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Fred Wieland fears former Victorian Bakersfield may have found his level in Far North Queensland but is hopeful there are a few more wins left in the tank before retirement.

Bakersfield - a Sean Cormack mount – has been with Wieland for 18 months since being bought by prolific owner Tom Hedley and steps out for only his 21st start of his career in the Open Handicap in Cairns on Tuesday.

The five-year-old has managed to pick up five wins during his career - all for Wieland - after he was moved on by Victorian trainer Clayton Douglas.

The son of Capitalist is in career-best form with two wins and as many placings from his past four starts including his latest Open Handicap victory over Bold Type and Blue Kentucky Moon at Cannon Park on November 22.

“He’s been racing well and is very consistent but he’s been in work a long time,” Wieland said.

“I think he’s knocking on the door of retirement so this could well be his last campaign.

“He’s not a genuine carnival horse for next year so hopefully he can pick up another win or two along way.”

Wieland expects another strong showing from Bakersfield over the 950 metre dash around Cannon Park.

“He’s a big chance again in this sort of race as he’s meeting the same sort of horses he beat last start,” Wieland said.

“It’s a nice race for him and another he could get away with. 

“He’ll be around for a few more starts yet as there’s a couple of similar races coming up shortly that suit him.”

Wieland has 14 horses currently in work and nine are owned by Hedley.

Wieland was pleased to snap up Cormack, a multiple Group 1-winning jockey, who rode Bakersfield in his latest victory.

“Sean rang for the ride again and I’m delighted he did,” Wieland said.

“We formed a good relationship when he came up here for the winter carnival and he won the Cairns Amateur Sprint on Prime Ruler for us.

“He’s a very likeable person and he’s ridden a few winners for me now.”

Cormack mostly rides in South East Queensland but has been struggling for rides in the south before recently joining the “fly in, fly out” band of jockeys.