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Courier-Mail
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
2025 Archer: Bjorn Baker with Iowna Merc, Sandpaper in Rockhampton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 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
News.com.au
29-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Word of caution for Bjorn Baker pair in $1m Archer slot race
It would be no surprise if Bjorn Baker won another slot race on Sunday, but punters keen to launch into his Darby Racing runners in the $1m The Archer have been issued a warning.
Sydney Morning Herald
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Baker turns to twin Randwick hopes in chase for interstate treble
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was looking to twin chances in the ninth race at Randwick as he chases success in three states on Saturday. Baker is in Perth overseeing the preparations of $2.05 (Sportsbet) favourite Overpass, which is hunting a third consecutive win in the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot, where the six-year-old has also claimed the past two group 1 Winterbottom Stakes. Baker also has Imperial Force, another Darby Racing galloper, as the $3.20 favourite for the group 2 $250,000 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Baker is sixth in the Australian premiership with 128 winners at a strike rate of 21.8 per cent – a figure better than trainers higher on the list – and is coming off breakthrough victories in the Doncaster Mile and Sydney Cup during the autumn carnival. He was confident frontrunner Overpass, which has to overcome barrier 10, was primed for the Quokka after a close second to Briasa when first up in the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick three weeks ago. 'I think he's in tip-top order,' Baker said. 'The firm track suits at Ascot. We've had the same routine, so we are pretty happy with him.' Snitzel colt Imperial Force has gate one for his interstate assignment, which comes after finishing second in the group 2 Arrowfield Sprint at Randwick two weeks ago. 'He's coming off a good Arrowfield run, so I'm really happy with him,' Baker said. 'I think he can run a good race, and he'll be aided by a good gate. He's in good order.' Baker's in-form stable has six runners at Randwick, including Istolea Merc and Yankee One in the ninth, a benchmark 72 handicap (1400m).
The Age
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Baker turns to twin Randwick hopes in chase for interstate treble
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was looking to twin chances in the ninth race at Randwick as he chases success in three states on Saturday. Baker is in Perth overseeing the preparations of $2.05 (Sportsbet) favourite Overpass, which is hunting a third consecutive win in the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot, where the six-year-old has also claimed the past two group 1 Winterbottom Stakes. Baker also has Imperial Force, another Darby Racing galloper, as the $3.20 favourite for the group 2 $250,000 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Baker is sixth in the Australian premiership with 128 winners at a strike rate of 21.8 per cent – a figure better than trainers higher on the list – and is coming off breakthrough victories in the Doncaster Mile and Sydney Cup during the autumn carnival. He was confident frontrunner Overpass, which has to overcome barrier 10, was primed for the Quokka after a close second to Briasa when first up in the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick three weeks ago. 'I think he's in tip-top order,' Baker said. 'The firm track suits at Ascot. We've had the same routine, so we are pretty happy with him.' Snitzel colt Imperial Force has gate one for his interstate assignment, which comes after finishing second in the group 2 Arrowfield Sprint at Randwick two weeks ago. 'He's coming off a good Arrowfield run, so I'm really happy with him,' Baker said. 'I think he can run a good race, and he'll be aided by a good gate. He's in good order.' Baker's in-form stable has six runners at Randwick, including Istolea Merc and Yankee One in the ninth, a benchmark 72 handicap (1400m).
