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By Ray Hickson

His older brother has developed into a Group performer this season so the bar is high for Istolea Merc as he takes the step into city grade at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

The four-year-old is a year younger than Iowna Merc, who won the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup last weekend, and comes off two Nowra wins into the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1300m).

Trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton said there are similarities between the brothers but if anything Istolea Merc, $6 with TAB on Tuesday, is blessed with a better constitution.

“They’ve both taken a bit of time,’’ Hilton said.

“He hasn’t been the most straightforward but he’s improving and improved out of sight this preparation. Mentally and physically he’s so much better every time.

“He’s a lot stronger than Iowna Merc, he’s probably physically a better type. He’s taking each step in his stride and deserves a chance on Wednesday.”

Iowna Merc started his career in November of his three-year-old season while Istolea Merc’s debut was back in September this season so he’s got some catching up to do.

Hilton said while his last start win at Nowra on February 23 had plenty of merit to it given he was coming back from 1200m to 1100m but was still good enough to run down the well supported favourite Rose Aye.

Istolea Merc wins at Nowra on February 23

“He did a good job with an unsuitable set up, but it was a nice race for him,’’ Hilton said.

“We think he’s been looking for the extra trip so the 1300m shouldn’t pose any problems to him.”

Majorca Sunset is still looking for that maiden win in the Drinkwise Mile (1600m) after a last start fourth at Warwick Farm that the Baker stable is happy to forgive.

The three-year-old was a solid favourite when beaten 2-3/4 lengths by Conichero over 1400m two weeks ago.

“He was a touch disappointing the other day but he had a fair bit against him, he copped a bad bump mid race and lost a shoe,’’ Hilton said.

“So we forgive him for that, if he gets back to what we thought of him prior to that he should be hard to beat.

“His work on Saturday we can’t fault, it was probably one of his best gallops we’ve seen at home. If he brings that form to Wednesday we’re confident he can knock the maiden out of the way.”

Former Sam Kavanagh-trained four-year-old Metallic Ruler makes his stable debut for Baker alongside Ride The River in the Pinatubo First Yearlings Handicap (1000m).

The gelding has won at the short trip, at his racing debut, though Hilton said there’s a chance he finds it too sharp if he doesn’t settle in the run.

“He will want it a bit further in time but he’s a little aggressive at home so we want to keep it on the short side for the moment,’’ he said.

“He has some good form around some nice horses. His trials have been nice, he’s a horse that should be able to get a bit of cover from a good gate and hopefully he can finish off well.”

Ride The River gave a big sight when run down late by Misty Legend over the same track and distance two weeks ago and Hilton would like to think he can hold that form.

“He bounced back to form the other day and just missed. He finds a similar set up,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting