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By Ray Hickson

He’s one of Bjorn Baker’s “warriors” and the trainer says he can’t have the nine-year-old in better shape as he zeroes in on another Group 1 target via Saturday’s Group 3 $250,000 Asahi Super Dry Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Arapaho will likely be top weight with his 58kg in the Metropolitan and Baker said he’s shown in his two runs back over shorter trips that his zest for racing is unchanged.

The Sydney Cup winner carries that weight in the Kingston Town under set weights and penalties conditions.

“I’ve got two warriors in my stable, him and Overpass, and they’re both going as well as ever,’’ Baker said.

“Arapaho has been a revelation, he’s been competing at that high level for a long time and he always does us proud.

“I think he’s going super, he was great first-up and second-up was good again and out to 2000m is ideal for him.

“He’s only got to run up to his form to be right in the finish, and he’s third-up so he’s ready to go.”

Rachel King continues her association with Arapaho and Baker likes how the race should pan out having drawn barrier four for the third time this campaign.

Arapaho, $6.50 with TAB on Thursday and second favourite at $8 in the Metropolitan, was placed in the Winx Stakes at 1400m first-up before holding his ground in a slowly run Chelmsford where he ran sixth behind Lindermann.

“It’s a good track and he’s got a great gate,’’ Baker said.

“Definitely on paper it’s going to look good for him. He’s going to get a gun spot just behind the speed, I think he will be a big chance.

“Ideally we go to the Metrop afterwards and then we’ll have a think about it, I haven’t ruled out going to the St Leger on Everest Day as a lead up to the Melbourne Cup.”

Baker said stablemate Our Anchorage is likely up against it in the Kingston Town from his wide barrier but needs to get some racing into his legs.

Classy filly Within The Law has again been dealt a blow with the outside barrier in the Group 2 $300,000 Myplates Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) but he’s keeping his eye on the Group 1 goal in two weeks.

She’s attacked the line in both 1200m runs in the Princess Series running Savvie Hallie to three-quarters of a length in the Silver Shadow before going back to last from the outside gate in her fifth behind Apocalyptic in the Furious.

“I think out to 1400m suits, I knew last time after a good run first-up she was going to be a little vulnerable staying at 1200m,’’ he said.

“We’re not going to change anything, the Flight Stakes is the main aim and has been all along.

“I’m very comfortable with her, I would have loved to draw a better gate because she’s capable of taking up a closer position but she has a good turn of foot and 1400m will really suit her.”

The planets may have aligned for regular sectional star Disneck in the Nick Moraitis Trophy (1200m) after two runs back at Rosehill with a return to Randwick in his favour.

In the space of a month back in the summer the gelding won three consecutive races at the Randwick 1200m on good tracks and he’ll have that scenario and Baker has booked James McDonald.

“He’s had absolutely no luck last time, the key is just pitting him where he’s comfortable and getting clear air when he needs it,’’ he said.

“I think he is going very well and I’d love him to be right in the finish.”

Arapaho's second-up run at Randwick on September 6

Bjorn Baker on Dance To The Boom (race 4): “I thought she ran well, I thought maybe she’d run a bit better but it was definitely a hot race and she’s improved a fair bit for it. She’s had a trial between races, she’ll be able to put herself right there from a good draw comfortably enough.”

On Perfumist (race 10): “We’re just putting her straight up over a trip, she didn’t show form until she got to 1400m last preparation and that was in weaker grade. From a good gate she should be able to put herself there. It’s fair to say she hasn’t run up to what we expected early but we’re hoping to bounce back.”

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