“He was not getting a fair go down south and we got in contact and it has gone from there,” Maria said.
“He has settled in well after being here for about three weeks now.
“All is going well so far, everything seems to be on track, which is great. He is great with the horses and he can ride.”
From the famous Baker racing family in regional Queensland, the hoop has most recently been based in Scone and Newcastle and while he loved his time in NSW, he was not getting consistent race rides and opted to head to FNQ.
“It has been good,” Baker said.
“They are great people and a great family to work for, they are laid-back and relaxed, which helps.”
James is the son of Roma-based trainer Wayne and the cousin of top provincial hoop in the Sunshine State – Les Tilley.
He started his apprenticeship with Craig Smith at Roma before going on to ride in Brisbane, Toowoomba and around Australia.
When the postponed Cairns meeting is eventually run, Baker rates Jesko – for another Innisfail trainer George Tsakissiris – as the best of his four chances in a Maiden Plate over 1400 metres.
The Dissident gelding has had one start in Queensland after previously being in the care of Colt Prosser and Bjorn Baker.
“I like him, his run the other day at Mount Garnett was a good one,” Baker said.
“He was slightly underdone on that day but he has come through that run nicely and he has been working well.”
Baker also has three rides at Saturday’s non-TAB meeting at Mareeba, two of which are for the Potiris'.