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By Ray Hickson

The “million dollar question”, or two million as it were, trainer Bjorn Baker has about Iknowastar is whether he can run out a strong 1800m.

Trainer Bjorn Baker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

If he can then Baker is confident the Listed $2m Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday is well within his reach and he’s made one important change in an attempt to ensure a clean getaway.

That’s what he feels is essential if Iknowastar is to post his biggest win to date so he’ll be fitted with a barrier blanket in the gates.

“He has to jump well, that’s the key,’’ Baker said.

“If he can jump well from gate one that would be advantageous. He’s missed it his last couple which definitely hasn’t helped him.

“We need him to muster that speed a little quicker than he’s been doing then he can do everything himself.”

Iknowastar, $6.50 with TAB on Friday, led all the way and managed to hold off Territory Express to win the Prelude at Randwick over 1500m two weeks ago.

He has only been beyond a mile once in his career and that was as a three-year-old when he contested the Tulloch Stakes over 2000m.

Baker said it may have come too soon for him and he’s had the right platform to attempt it as an older horse.

“He’s had a good base, he’s going to be third up and he’s racing well but it’s another big question mark and the level of horse is better than he’s been up against,’’ he said.

“He definitely didn’t get 2000m in the Tulloch Stakes that day. His work has been good, we’re happy with him.

“He’s going to have to get into a good routine and we want him to be more relaxed than he’s been.”

Stablemate Amor Victorious couldn’t go with Iknowastar in the Prelude and with a wide barrier to contend with on Saturday he’ll race without blinkers and likely has a change of tactics.

“We just have to think how we ride him, maybe we look to ride him with a bit of cover and get back,’’ Baker said.

“He was keen the other day, he jumped and put himself there. It’s a big race and he’s up in trip so we need him to switch off and try to see it out.

The Invitation winner Belclare renews rivalries with Magic Time in the Group 2 $500,000 Cincotta Chemist Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) and Baker says she could easily repeat the dose.

The seven-year-old ran fast time in leading all the way in that race and Baker expects to get a big sight again.

“She was super last time and nothing has changed our opinion about her,’’ he said.

“She galloped well on Tuesday morning and she looks fantastic, everything sets up for her to run very well.”

Import Queues Likely also contested The Invitation, at what was her Australian debut, and Baker said he was pleased with the run thought she will likely be looking for more ground.

If she does improve she will likely get that chances with races the The Gong and The Ingham coming up in the next month or so.

Iknowastar wins the Five Diamonds Prelude

“I’d love her to have drawn a slightly better gate but she is a mare of some promise,’’ he said.

“We’d possibly like to push on a bit more, we could look at a race like the Gong but we will see how she goes first.”

Bjorn Baker on O’Ole (race 6): “She was very good in the trial and very good in the first-up run. She’s very professional, we can’t fault her, she’s got a great attitude and hopefully she can run a big one.”

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