Lauriston Park’s Chris Bakker is looking forward to this Saturday.

Flemington’s feature meeting will see the latest edition of the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes which is run in honour of Bakker’s all-time favourite.  Earlier in the day, Lauriston Park homebred Let’s Make Adeal faces her biggest test to date in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

Let’s Make Adeal (4m Red Ransom – Let’s Get Famous by Danehill) is a granddaughter of Let’s Elope (NZ) who is enjoying her retirement years at Bakker’s Creighton’s Creek farm near Euroa.

Coincidentally, Makybe Diva’s sire Desert King stands at Lauriston Park  “There are a few omens there,” Bakker laughed.  “Perhaps I better have a bet!”

Trainer Nigel Blackiston is looking forward to seeing how Let’s Make Adeal measures up in good company.   “She was impressive winning first up at Sandown but that wasn’t a Group 2.  She’s certainly progressive and gets an allowance under the weight-for-age scale and Flemington will suit her.

“Let’s Elope was big and strong and this mare is very similar.”  Blackiston should know.  He was foreman for Bart Cummings when the champion won the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Australian Cup in 1991-92.

Before the big day at Flemington, Bakker will welcome Makybe Diva’s half-sister Celtic Reign (Woodman) to Lauriston Farm.  She is due to Desert King and will be bred back to him.

LET’S ELOPE (NZ)
Champion mare, now aged 26, pictured at Lauriston Park

Photo / Vin Lowe