‘He’s there to run a big race’: Bjorn Baker’s Iown Merc is tuned-up for the 2024 The Warra

Talented sprinter Iowna Merc has trainer Bjorn Baker anticipating a career-best campaign ahead of his comeback in the Group 3 $300,000 The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Iowna Merc (Dylan Gibbons, white silks with blue armbands and cap) wins at Randwick in June last year. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Talented sprinter Iowna Merc has trainer Bjorn Baker anticipating a career-best campaign ahead of his comeback in the Group 3 $300,000 The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Iowna Merc has been winless for 18 months but was placed in five of his six starts last season including twice at stakes level.

Baker has given Iowna Merc only one barrier trial earlier this month to prepare for The Warra but the five-year-old could not have been more impressive surging through the line to win a Warwick Farm heat over 821m by a widening two-and-a-half lengths.

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“I feel Iowna Merc is in really good order,’’ Baker said. “This is a nice race for him first-up over 1000m.

“His form last preparation was very consistent without winning and he gets into this race with no weight (53kg).

“He’s there to run a big race. He will be hard to beat on Saturday and that should set him up for a very good preparation over summer.’’

Iowna Merc is at $6 in a very open feature sprint where Hedged and Headwall are joint $4.80 favourites.

It was a ding dong battle!

Iowna Merc pips Kibou at the post, giving Dylan Gibbons an early treble at Randwick. 👏 pic.twitter.com/gkDIRxWo9K

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 10, 2023

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Baker will be in Perth on Saturday to watch in-form mare Belclare attempt a third consecutive win in the Group 1 $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) but the trainer will be keeping a close eye on his strong Kembla team including $6 equal favourite Disneck in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

Disneck resumed with a good third to Headwall over the Randwick 1000m course earlier this month and looks well placed in the Kembla closer.

“He ran really well first-up and although I’d probably prefer this race was at 1100m, he’s taken improvement from that run and 1200m won’t be a problem,’’ Baker said.

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

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Baker, who had a hat-trick of wins at the Canterbury midweek meeting, is also confident Infatuation ($4.80) will be in the mix for the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

Infatuation is also second-up at Kembla after finishing a close seventh to Tristate when resuming at Rosehill three weeks ago.

“I think Infatuation has improved considerably between runs,’’ Baker said. “She had a fair while off before Rosehill and needed that run. She will be much better on Saturday.’’

Baker doesn’t have a starter in The Gong but is saddling up Shalailed (race 3), Fleet Commander (race 5) and stablemates Baby Rider and Hollywood Hero (race 7).

Originally published as ‘He’s there to run a big race’: Bjorn Baker’s Iown Merc is tuned-up for the 2024 The Warra