But Baker is more definite about the Cups campaigns for top stayers Green Spaces and Thebudgiesmugla with both set to resume at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Pericles looked in great order finishing a close sixth in a star-studded Warwick Farm barrier trial this morning.

Joker's Grin won the trial narrowly from Tempted, Jimmysstar, Mazu and Generosity with less than two lengths separating the top six over the line.

Pericles was racing inside horses and didn't have a lot of galloping room in the final 300m but looked to be full of running on the line.

"I thought Pericles went really well,'' Baker said.

"But I have to give it a bit of thought about where we go with him. In the Tramway Stakes he will get more weight than he did last year now he's a Group 1 winner.''

A likely target for Pericles this spring is the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.

He has contested the last two King Charles, finishing a very good fourth to Ceolwulf last year.

"I feel he's going as well as ever,'' Baker said.

"But the problem with the King Charles is he will be up against probably Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi. I would be happy to take them on but we will work out his program in the next week or so.''

At Royal Randwick on Saturday, Baker has his ATC Australian Derby winner Green Spaces and winter find Midnight Dynamite entered for the first Group 1 of the 2026-27 season, the $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m).

And Thebudgiesmugla and new stable recruit So You Are clash in the Group 3 $250,000 Premier's Cup.

Baker has ambitions to set both Green Spaces and Thebudgiesmugla on spring campaigns aimed at the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

"Green Spaces is coming up well,'' Baker said. "He won the Derby in the autumn and he's a strong stayer.

"He will go to the Winx Stakes as will Midnight Dynamite. Both are in very good order but this is an unreal race.''

There are 14 individual Group 1 winners among the 17 entries for the Winx Stakes and to further underline the quality of the nominations, Derby winner Green Spaces is the lowest-rated runner on 102. Autumn Glow heads the ratings on 121 with Aeliana and Ceolwulf next on 119.

Baker won the Winx Stakes with the Darby Racing-owned Samadoubt as a $31 outsider in 2019 and is obviously hoping Midnight Dynamite ($34), who is raced in similar interests, can do produce another upset on Saturday against the likes of Autumn Glow ($1.40) and possibly Sheza Alibi ($3.80).

"We will put the blinkers on Midnight Dynamite, he's been going really well through the winter and he's very fit,'' Baker said.

"But when you are up against Autumn Glow and possibly Sheza Alibi, you have to be realistic.

"Then again, you have to be in it to win it and Midnight Dynamite likes wet tracks. He might be a knockout hope if the others aren't quite at the top of their game.''

Thebudgiesmugla, also raced by leading syndicator Scott Darby of Darby Racing, emerged as a stayer of considerable promise late last season with three wins from his last four starts including successive Listed level wins at his two most recent outings in the Winter Cup and the Caloundra Cup, where he defeated his new stablemate So You Are.

"Thebudgiesmugla has a bit of residual fitness and I'm really happy with going into Saturday,'' Baker said.

"So You Are ran second to him in the Caloundra Cup and he was in fantastic order when I got him.

"He's a readymade horse, he gets in on the minimum and I'm sure he will run well.''

Photo: Bradley Photo