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By Ray Hickson

An encouraging first crack at stakes level has trainer Bjorn Baker thinking Iowna Merc could climb a few more rungs in the sprinting ranks this year.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The honest four-year-old made his Listed debut with a slashing first-up third behind Opal Ridge in the Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone last month.

Baker says with 53kg again in the Listed $200,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday he’ll have his chance to improve on that placing.

“He gets into this race with no weight and Rachel (King) knows him pretty well so I think he should go and be a good chance,’’ Baker said.

“He’s Mr Consistent and he’s raced against some pretty good horses.

“This is his chance to break through at a good level and I’d love him to do it. We could look at possibly better targets in the spring.”

Iowna Merc, $5 with TAB on Thursday, is yet to strike a heavy track and does have his idiosyncrasies but Baker is confident enough that the ground won’t be an issue.

A soft 6 is as wet as the four-year-old has struck so far in his 12 starts, which have yielded four wins.

“I think he’s always going to have a few quirks but I’ve always thought as he gets older and more mature he’s only going to get better,’’ he said.

“He’s pretty consistent regardless of what the track is and he’s not a big, heavy, horse so that gives us confidence.”

Baker will make a call closer to race day on whether stablemates Passeggiata and Shalailed line up in the TAB Handicap (1000m) or are saved for Canterbury on Monday.

The speedy Passeggiata has been runner-up in both her starts this time in, including her game second to The Black Cloud over the same course two weeks ago, while Shalailed is resuming from a break.

“Wherever she goes she’s going to be very competitive, I think she’s been very good at her last two and if anything she looks better,’’ he said of Passeggiata.

“Shalailed will probably need a run or two to get to his best.”

It’s now a month since Hollywood Hero’s eye-catching fourth on a heavy track in The Coast at Newcastle and while he was scheduled to run at last week’s meeting he’ll come back slightly in trip into the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1400m).

He did have 52kg in that $500,000 feature and will carry 60kg after the claim.

“He’s had four weeks between runs so 1400m on a demanding track probably won’t be against him,’’ Baker said.

“He looks great and he’s ready to run anther good race. He’s back in grade and Bailey Wheeler takes off a couple so that gives us confidence.”

Inquiring Minds wins at Warwick Farm on May 22

Baker warned against overlooking stablemate War Eternal in the same race after the gelding’s improved showing second-up to run fourth behind Diamond Diesel two weeks ago though said how the track is playing will be significant to his chances.

“He’s capable on his day, he has the 3kg off, and a lot depends on whether it’s good to draw out deep or if it’s not,’’ he said.

Bjorn Baker on Stardeel (race 1): “He’s a very nice horse who has trialled very well, he’s a good looking son of Dundeel and he hasn’t put a foot wrong. In one trial he led and led well and in the other trial he got back so I’m confident he can put himself where he’s comfortable and he’s not out of it.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting