A bulked-up Iowna Merc will chase a breakthrough stakes win when he resumes in the Group Three The Warra, and connections are hoping his physical development is reflected in the result.
The five-year-old had contested black-type grade three times, twice filling the minor placings in the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone in May and the Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
Trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton is hoping the horse’s stronger frame can help deliver him a first stakes success in Saturday’s 1000m feature.
“He’s definitely a little bit stronger,” Hilton said.
“He’s at the top level now where he’s got to compete in stakes races and he needs to take the extra step to knock one of those off.
“He just needs to find a length or so to be winning a stakes race, he gets his chance on Saturday.”
Iowna Merc boasts a strong fresh record with a win and three placings from four first-up runs.
He was a recent trial winner at Warwick Farm and Hilton said the consistent performer was forward enough to run his typically bold race.
“He has come back great. He has trialled well,” Hilton said.
“He always does trial well and he tends to run really well first-up – he was third in the stakes race at Scone first-up last time in.”
Baker’s Kembla Grange team will also include smart mare Infatuation in the Carlton Dry 3.5 Handicap (1200m).
Placed in the Golden Gift at two, she finished fourth in Skirt The Law’s Magic Millions Classic (1200m) and was stakes placed in last year’s Gosford Guineas (1200m).
Hilton expects her to strip much fitter for her unplaced first-up effort at Rosehill earlier this month as she prepares for another Magic Millions tilt.
“She was a tad disappointing on face value first-up, but she over-raced early and just raced a bit above herself fresh,” he said.
“She has had a number of good gallops in between and she should improve sharply second-up.”
