Fresh from Group 1 success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, Bjorn Baker has stacked the bases for the feature race in Sydney on Melbourne Cup Day as he prepares to saddle up four runners in the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick.
Among them is Iknowastar, who has drawn ideally in barrier three and shares top market billing with the Matt Dunn-trained Cepheus at $5 with online bookies.
Stablemates Wategos (barrier eight), Highlights (barrier five) and Hollywood Hero provide a strong support cast and Baker believes all four are capable of winning.
“We’re going into the Big Dance with a show,” Baker said.
“I think you can mount a case for all of them. It will be a tough race, no doubt about it, but you’ve got to be in to win.”
Iknowastar arrives at the Big Dance (1600m) as the winner of his past four starts, kicking off with a Mudgee victory in September before qualifying for Tuesday’s assignment via the Dubbo Cup.
He has followed it up with back-to-back success on Randwick’s Kensington circuit and while Baker isn’t certain what has prompted the form surge, he can see no reason it won’t continue.
“I don’t know, he has just turned it around and he’s thriving,” Baker said.
“He looks fantastic and he has been running very quick times too.
“He has broken two track records in his last few goes, and he is recovering each time brilliantly.”
Baker’s only stipulation is that Iknowastar must lead, as he has done throughout his winning sequence.
“He needs to lead and he will lead,” he said.
Wategos is the second pick of Baker’s quartet, qualifying for a start with his Murwillumbah Cup triumph in August.
He has subsequently finished runner-up to the promising Airman over 1200m at Randwick and midfield to Palmetto in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).
Baker expects another bold showing and if Wategos performs to expectations, he is in line to back-up in the Five Diamonds (1800m) on Saturday.
“Wategos probably will go to the Five Diamonds, we will look to back him up,” he said.
“He’s got the best form probably, while Hollywood Hero and Highlights are both in good form and look great.
“All of them will be suited as the mile and they’re all fit and healthy.”