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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Bjorn Baker says in-form galloper Amor Victorious has more than earned his chance to vie for a place in next month’s Group 1 $4m The Star Doncaster Mile.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’s fair to say when the four-year-old started this preparation a Group 1 wasn’t really on the radar but Baker was forced into a rethink when he posted two runaway wins in the latter part of summer.

And with just 50kg in the Doncaster why wouldn’t Baker target an exemption through Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 ATC Foundation Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

“We thought we’d try to take him through the grades but he has a great win record and he’s just improved,’’ Baker said.

“After his last win we really had to have a bit of a think about what we do with him and where we go. He’s doing everything we could have asked of him at this stage.

“The big races are what it’s about and he’d be in with a light weight so we had to consider that. You’ve got to be in to win and dreaming about The Championships.”

Amor Victorious, $3.80 with TAB on Thursday, has produced two dashing wins since returning from a spell and graduated to open company with his almost three length victory over the Randwick mile on February 10.

“He was really good that day, it’s another step up we’re not hiding from that,’’ Baker said.

“It’s a Group 2 and very competitive. His work has been good, he’s had a trial in between and he gets in with a pretty good weight.

“He has plenty of quality and we know he’s good at this trip, 1500m, and good at the mile too so that gives us a bit more confidence.”

There won’t be a whole lot of deviating from the pattern that’s seen Amor Victorious climb the ranks so quickly, especially with that free Doncaster ticket on the line.

“We go forward, if not in front he’ll be second. He has that natural speed, a very high cruising speed we want to take advantage of for sure,’’ Baker said.

A strong second-up record gives Baker some heart that Renaissance Woman could spring a surprise in the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic (1500m).

While the Warwick Farm trainer concedes the mare was a little below par first-up in the Millie Fox he’s learned that she can do that before improving sharply.

“She’s a big filly that can carry a bit of condition so maybe she needs that first-up run to be at her best,’’ he said.

“The blinkers go on, we needed her to draw a good gate which she has and hopefully she can take advantage of that gate.

Amor Victorious wins at Randwick on February 10

“Realistically if we are midfield that would be ideal. In a big race like that it’s going to be hard so the key is putting her as far forward as we can while still being comfortable.

“On her day she’s a high class mare. First-up didn’t work out as well as we had hoped but 1500m and three weeks between runs she’ll be much better.”

Renaissance Woman hasn’t been placed in five first-up attempts but has won three of her four starts when second-up including the Group 3 Angst Stakes last time in.

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