Trainer Bjorn Baker cooks up new plan with Iknowastar, Amor Victorious in 2024 Five Diamonds

Trainer Bjorn Baker has tinkered with the gear for Iknowastar and Amor Victorious in anticipation both can produce career-best efforts in the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker has tinkered with the gear for Iknowastar and Amor Victorious in anticipation both can produce career-best efforts in the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Baker is using a barrier blanket for the first time on Iknowastar while he has removed the blinkers from Amor Victorious.

Iknowastar and Amor Victorious are both considered suspect at 1800m and the gear changes are designed to play to their strengths and improve performance.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“From gate one, it is crucial Iknowastar jumps wells,’’ Baker said.

“The 1800m is a question mark but if he can lead and control, then he will take some catching. He is racing in great form and this is such a valuable race.’’

Iknowastar goes to Rosehill after leading most of the way to win the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) at Royal Randwick last start.

Amor Victorious, winner of the Group 2 Shannon Stakes, also contested the Prelude and ran only eighth after racing keenly during the race.

Amor Victorious all-the-way with @G1TySchil in the saddle! The Shannon Stakes goes to @BBakerRacing 🏇 pic.twitter.com/OoGB4Hh2jH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 28, 2024

• ‘Sorry, he gets emotional talking about this horse’: Territory Express trainer’s inspiring story

“I’ve decided to take the blinkers off Amor Victorious so we just have to weigh up how we ride him,’’ Baker added.

In TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Five Diamonds, Iknowastar is at $8 and Amor Victorious $31 behind favourite Territory Express at $5.

Baker is optimistic Belclare can back up her win in The Invitation when she contests the Group 2 $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m).

Two-time NZ Group 1 winner Belclare leads all the way to give @BBakerRacing and @G1Tyschil victory in The Invitation ✉️ pic.twitter.com/490j1XxmS5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024

• Ratings guru says Five Diamonds is a race in two

“Belclare is in super order, she looks fantastic, has a good gate and will jump and put herself right there,’’ he said.

Magic Time, who was runner-up in The Invitation, is the $2.40 early favourite with Belclare pressing at $3.30 while the Baker-trained import Queues Likely is at $41.

“Queues Likely is improving all the time and she is not out of it, she is a very good back-up option,’’ he said.

Baker is chasing the Rosehill feature race treble with O’ Ole in the Group 3 $1 million Golden Gift (1100m).

O’ Ole was very good on debut, finishing second to the brilliant Bel Merci in the Gimcrack Stakes five weeks ago and has since had a barrier trial on the Kensington track which she won comfortably.

Thank you very much! 🙏

The fav Bel Merci by Extreme Choice wins the G3 Gimcrack Stakes with absolute ease!@aus_turf_club | @SchofieldChad | @JTRacingRwikpic.twitter.com/DED9h3RVoS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

• ‘Too fresh last time’: Yellow Brick to fire in Five Diamonds

“I thought O’ Ole’s first run was excellent, she has good ability and has trained on well,’’ Baker said.

The Warwick Farm trainer also has speedy Passeggiata contesting the Ranvet Handicap (1100m) and the in-form stayer Fleet Commander in the TAB Handicap (2400m).

Originally published as Trainer Bjorn Baker cooks up new plan with Iknowastar, Amor Victorious in 2024 Five Diamonds