Iknowastar Wins $1million Five Diamonds Prelude

Tara Madgwick - Saturday October 26

There were four races run at Randwick on Saturday worth $1million or more and the $1million Listed ATC Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) went the way of progressive Star Witness gelding Iknowastar.

Iknowastar wins the Listed Five Diamonds Stakes - image Steve Hart

Trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Rachel King, Iknowastar has been super consistent since the start of the year racking up multiple stakes-placings and wins.

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A last start fifth in the $1.5million ATC Alan Brown Stakes behind Here to Shock, Iknowastar improved off that effort to score a tenacious win, leading for home and holding on in a tight finish to win by a head.

An $80,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Widden Stud for Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock, Iknowastar has the overall record of 10 wins and six placings from 25 starts with prizemoney topping $1million.

Rachel King has ridden Iknowastar in many of his races and knows him well.

“I don’t have much choice, he just does what he wants. That’s him. Again, he didn’t jump that well today. He’s just being a bit of a pest in the gates, he’s actually feeling so well, he’s probably almost too well. I nearly went to Plan B but he had other ideas,” she said.

“One good head shake and a pull of the reins, I was like, ‘Ok mate, you do you’. I let him be in control but that’s when he’s happiest. He’s just tough. I thought I was beaten, to be honest. I thought the other horse got its head down on the line, but he deserves it because he’s Mr Consistent.”

Iknowastar is the best of four winners from Hidden Message, a five time winning Pentire (GB) mare, whose grand-dam is stakes-winner Queen of State.

Star Witness is riding high at the moment through the deeds of his Group winning filly Bellatrix Star and is unbeatable value at Widden Victoria this spring at a fee of $8,800

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Race Result - Five Diamonds Prelude LR 1500m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:27.30
1
Iknowastar
- 5g Star Witness (AUS) x Hidden Message (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 56
Star Witness
Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale $80,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW
Buyer: Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock
2
0.1
Territory Express
- 5g Territories (IRE) x Miss Chattering (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: P Niceforo Rdr: Zac Lloyd 56
3
0.8
Freedom Rally
- 5g Rubick (AUS) x Ipioga (AUS) (Niello (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
4
1.1
Yellow Brick
- 5g The Mission (AUS) x Magical Mist (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Tony & Maddysen Sears Rdr: Tim Clark 57.5
5
2.1
Holymanz
- 5g Almanzor (FR) x Perfect Offering (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J R Collett 57.5
6
2.7
Strait Acer
- 5g Headwater (AUS) x Money Wanted (AUS) (Wanted (AUS))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: Reece Jones 56
7
3
Robusto
- 5g Churchill (IRE) x She's Clean (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 56
8
3.3
Amor Victorious
- 5g Caravaggio (USA) x Koizora (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Tyler Schiller 58.5
9
4.8
Punch Lane
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Cybercyn (AUS) (Staaraq (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Tom Sherry 56
10
6
Osipenko
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Raskova (USA) (Henrythenavigator (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 58.5
11
20.9
Galeron
- 5g Camacho (GB) x Society Gal (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: C Schofield 59.5
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