A million-dollar race in northern Queensland was not necessarily on the agenda for Bjorn Baker’s stable late last year, but two horses which they describe as revelations are making their way to Rockhampton from Brisbane in search of their own piece of history in The Archer.
The 1300-metre slot race feature on Sunday’s card will be the fourth running of the event named after legendary horse in the local area of the 1800s and has two New South Wales-trained stablemates heading the market with Iowna Merc and Sandpaper at $4 and $4.80 respectively.
“It’s not an easy race – there isn’t any,” Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said.
“Sandpaper is coming off a good win and he’s had a long preparation,” he added of the five-year-old who has won two of his past three starts including the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes on March 7.
“He was unlucky in the Doncaster Prelude caught wide but bounced back to form the other day (at Randwick).
“He’s been a revelation in his first preparation for us after Darby Racing bought him online.”Another standout of the stable this time in has been Iowna Merc – also owned by Darby Racing – with the gelding finishing inside of the top three placings in seven of his past nine starts including four wins.
His fifth placing last start in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) should see the well-fancied runner appreciated a drop in competitive company.
“He’s been a phenomenal revelation,” Hilton said.
“We’ve stretched him out in distance which has been the making of him.”He ran really well in the Doncaster but was crucified with the bad gate (12) and we had to go back.
“I thought he ran a tremendous race with no luck and no speed which worked against him as well.
“On paper, he’s got one of the best formlines in the race.”
According to Racing and Sports’ records, this will be Nash Rawiller’s first ride at Rockhampton when he rides Sandpaper while Ash Morgan retains the mount on Iowna Merc.
It will also be for Craig Williams who is making the trip to steer the Tony Gollan-trained $12 chance Comrade Rosa.