Jimmie, STAR Writer

GUINEAS winner ALI BABA returns nicely freshened off a three-month lay-up, perfectly drawn, widest of all, in a 14-horse field for tomorrow's Fontainbleu Trophy.

One of the most improved three-year-olds of the season, ALI BABA ran up a four-race win streak , a victory per month, culminating in a one-length triumph over stablemate SEEKING MY DREAM in the 2000 Guineas.

Asked to take on older horses in May, ALI BABA ran a brave 1820 metres against proven grade-one campaigner, COMMANDING CHIEF. He engaged the battle-hardened seven-year-old in a stirring stretch fight, ending in defeat for both as HOVER CRAFT capitalised on the battle to nail the duo at the wire.

Made favourite in June's Derby, ALI BABA's non-staying pedigree was exposed by SEEKING MY DREAM, who turned the tables on his stablemate going a half mile longer than the Guineas.

When ALI BABA returned for vengeance in the 10-furlong St Leger, post-position one was unkind for the Fearless Vision-Ahwhofah offspring. He disputed the lead with SHINING LIGHT, drawn beside him at post-position two. Conserving his mount, Robert Halledeen allowed Gary Griffiths-trained SHINING LIGHT and MERLIN to go ahead down the backstretch.

However, when making his move approaching the half mile, ALI BABA was squeezed for room as BALLON D'OR had moved up against the rail, creating a bottleneck at the turn.

ALI BABA came out worst off and fell back in the pack, a position from which he tried to recover but was caught flat-footed as SEEKING MY DREAM and eventual winner SUPERLUMINAL had their moves on the outside to turn for home five lengths ahead of him.

Rapid improvement

Despite having a rough trip, ALI BABA improved rapidly into third turning for home and made up ground along the rail before the effort took its toll and he drifted out to mid-track, eventual losing third to SOUTHERN CRUISE. Had he not encountered traffic problems, the St Leger could have had a different outcome.

Carrying 52.0 kilos tomorrow, the lightest he has ever been, certainly in his last eight starts, ALI BABA once again faces COMMANDING CHIEF. However, since that epic battle with ALI BABA, COMMANDING CHIEF has performed poorly in two starts. He was chased off the lead by UNCLE TAF and finished down the track in the Governor General's Stakes a week ago.

UNCLE TAF returns with 47.0 kilos, Page picture

Page pic but should have more than enough company on the lead to nullify his chances especially with MOM'S STUDENT in at 50.0 kilos, plus FRANFIELD thereabouts with 54.0 kilos.

Veteran campaigner TRADITIONAL PRINCE would have been a dangerous contender had he not been toting 56.0 kilos. The seven-year-old never does well from the top of the scale.

Perfect set-up

It's a perfect set-up for ALI BABA to stalk and pounce with 52.0 kilos at 1500 metres. He twice posted 1:31.1 for the distance in back-to-back races, January and February, followed by 1:18.3 for six and a half and 1:37.4 for the Guineas mile, proving he's a crack middle-distance runner.