Bjorn Baker won’t be on track at Royal Randwick on Saturday but will bring a strong hand to the feature event, the Listed Civic Stakes over 1400m.
Baker has been at Royal Ascot all week preparing stable star sprinter Overpass, who ran a gallant third in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1005m) on Tuesday night.
While a decision has yet to be made if Overpass will back up on Saturday night against Joliestar in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1207m) is yet to be made, the stable will saddle up four runners in the Civic Stakes.
Racing manager Luke Hilton has been tasked with running the operation back home and said Hollywood Hero, Midnight Dynamite, Amor Victorious and Point And Shoot would all race through the Winter.
“Hollywood Hero was really good the other day. He may need further again, but he was outstanding,” Hilton said.
“Midnight Dynamite was really good the other day too.
“Amor Victorious is coming back off a short let-up. He had a bit of a setback (after Scone) so he had a bit of a break, but he’s in good order now.
“He doesn’t love wet ground. If we can just not have really wet ground it will suit him.”
“With Point And Shoot, it depends which Point And Shoot turns up.”
Headley Grange won the Civic Stakes last year en route to Group One success and while the Baker quartet may not reach such heights, the Winter program should provide plenty of opportunity for stakes victory.
“We’re going to roll through with all four of them. You’ve got the Winter Stakes, the Winter Challenge. Unfortunately they’ve probably all got to keep taking each other on, but it’s a good problem to have,” Hilton said.
Hollywood Hero will need three scratchings to make the final field of 15 runners while Midnight Dynamite is the market elect, opening a $3.60 favourite with Jason Collett booked to ride from barrier eight.
The Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) is at Rosehill on July 4 and the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill on July 18.
