2025 Archer: Bjorn Baker with Iowna Merc, Sandpaper in Rockhampton
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Bjorn Baker has two of the leading fancies for the $1m The Archer slot race but says both come with a gentle word of caution.
Iowna Merc and Sandpaper race in the colours of Darby Racing and both are making the trek north to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton for Sunday's dash for cash.
Both have the runs on the board to win The Archer, with Iowna Merc winning a Group 2 in Sydney before finishing five lengths off them in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
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Sandpaper has won two of his past three, including when holding off all challengers in a fighting win at Randwick over 1400m earlier this month.
However there is one small concern as they look to knock off Tony Gollan's Archer favourite Transatlantic and other contenders in the rich regional slot race over 1300m.
Iowna Merc has raced 10 times since last having a break and Sandpaper will be having his eighth run this campaign.
• Dethroned Quokka champion set for Doomben 10,000
'Both of these horses have been up for a while, we are very mindful of that,' Baker said.
'And they also have a fairly arduous week this week, with a reasonably big trip up to Rockhampton.
'But we are in it to win it.
'Both of these horses are rock hard fit, so we haven't had to do much with them.
'Iowna Merc's best form would be good enough to win this but he's probably got to get back to that very best form, which is a little bit of a question mark.
'Regardless of what happens on Sunday, Sandpaper has had a great preparation and he will be better again next preparation.'
• Potential Group 1 star who can be 'beaten a furlong' in trials
Jockey Ashley Morgan, who knows how to win a slot race having scored the $3m Sunlight on Private Harry at the Sunshine Coast in January, will jet north to partner Iowna Merc.
Baker also knows how to win a slot race, having won The Quokka twice in Perth with Overpass before he was dethroned last Saturday in his bid for a third.
Elite Sydney hoop Nash Rawiller will ride Sandpaper.
Originally published as Word of caution for Bjorn Baker pair in $1m Archer slot race
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