Bjorn Baker is looking for a bold first-up performance from Malkovich ahead of an ambitious interstate raid.
The trainer, who produced Overpass for an upset win over boom colt Anamoe in last week’s Expressway Stakes, will use Saturday’s Ranvet Sprint (1000m) at Randwick as a stepping stone towards the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Blue Diamond Stakes day.
“The plan is to go to the Oakleigh Plate after Saturday and I think this is the ideal race to get him there,” Baker said.
“He trialled magnificently, and he looks amazing.”
Malkovich will have to cart topweight of 62.5kg with Baker opting not to claim on the four-year-old, instead relying on the experience of in-form jockey Tim Clark.
Nor is he bothered by the speedster’s outside draw.
“Tim is riding as good as any and it’s only over 1000 metres,” Baker said.
“I think an outside gate is actually good for him and he will be able to ride his own race.”
Malkovich was a $3 favourite with TAB fixed odds on Thursday, although his fresh record suggests he could be vulnerable.
The entire has placed in three of his four first-up runs but is yet to win one, although Baker points out he did kick off in Group company last preparation.
“I guess when you look at his record like that, he may well be, but at times he has been in tough races first-up,” he said.
“Last time he came second in a Group Two (Caulfield Sprint) at Caulfield, so I don’t think we can look too much into it.”
The Oakleigh Plate is at Caulfield on February 26.
