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By Ray Hickson

An early season stakes race is in trainer Bjorn Baker’s sights if Shezanalister can continue her rise through the grades at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Steve Hart)

The four-year-old has won four of her five starts in 2024 and reaches Benchmark 88 level on the back of a tough first-up win three weeks ago under 61kg on a heavy track.

It was her second victory in Benchmark 78 grade and Baker said Shezanalister has earned the chance to prove in the Kia Ora Prague Handicap (1100m) that she can reach even higher.

“I’d love her to go well then we’ll look at a race like the Toy Show in four weeks,’’ Baker said.

“I think the owners are pretty happy with where they are at the moment but the best is yet to come.

“She’s continued to improve, she’s a sound and strong mare now and hopefully she can force her way into stakes company.”

The Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) is run on Winx Stakes Day, August 24.

Shezanalister, $2.70 with TAB on Wednesday, strung three wins on end earlier this year under Tommy Berry and he’ll be back in the saddle at Randwick protecting an unbeaten record on the mare.

Baker said natural maturity is behind her charge through the grades and that was evident in how she presented going into her first-up win in trying conditions, with the three week gap ideal as she returns to a firmer surface.

“I think she’s in great order, I’ve been absolutely thrilled with her,’’ Baker said.

“She’s a big strong mare now and Tommy Berry gets on with her very well.

"She’s always shown speed but now she can definitely sustain it and we couldn’t be happier with her.

“She has a good gate so we will be positive and I think she is ready to run a good race. She had a lovely run last time and she looks to get a similar run.”

The Warwick Farm trainer, who finishes the season having snared three Group 1s in 2023/24, is keeping his short term expectations low for comeback galloper Line Of Fire in the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1300m).

But he does expect the now gelded three-year-old, who hasn’t raced for 54 weeks since running second at Flemington over 1800m, to take benefit from the run and be a horse to follow later in the preparation.

“He’s had one or two soundness problems behind but he’s come back in good order,’’ Baker said.

“It’s hard to be confident with so long off but in saying that his work has been good at home.

“When he steps out over further and second and third-up he will be much more competitive.”

Shezanalister wins at Randwick on July 6

Bjorn Baker on Ride The River (race 1): “He was dominant last start and has a good gate. His work has been very good, he’s a big striding horse and one that will keep improving in time. He’s a good each-way hope.”

On Wingardium (race 5): “She has a good gate for her and should be able to position up behind them. She’s fit and looks well. Ben Osmond takes 3kg off and she’s an each-way hope in a very competitive race.”

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