Staying talent Arapaho may not be expected to challenge frontrunners like Via Sistina and Ceolwulf in his season opener at the Apollo Stakes, but trainer Bjorn Baker remains positive about his long-term campaign.

After a difficult 18 months following his 2023 Tancred Stakes victory, Arapaho returned to form last spring, closing his campaign with a strong win in the Sandown Classic.

Recently, he showed promise in a trial where he finished behind Lightning Stakes hopeful Way To The Stars. With a smooth four-race spring preparation now complete, the eight-year-old is being primed for another shot at the Tancred Stakes.

“He is trialling really well and he finished off last preparation nicely,” Baker said.

“He is much more forward than he was first-up in the spring, but in saying that he is up against some top horses and we know he’s going to get better over further. As long as he comes through it well we’ll be happy.

“Ideally we will head towards the Tancred Stakes, the race he won two years ago.”

While Arapaho begins his new campaign, stablemate Iowna Merc is in peak condition and set to take on his biggest challenge yet in the Expressway Stakes (1200m).

The five-year-old has shown remarkable consistency throughout the summer, securing victory in the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1100m) and finishing a close second to Willaidow in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m).

This weekend, he will face formidable Group 1 opponents like Joliestar and Magic Time, but Baker believes he has earned the chance to compete at this level.

“He is in career-best form, it has been a marvellous preparation,” he said.

“He’s at a rating now where we have to have a look at these better races. We’re under no illusion it’s a tough ask going against some of these horses but he is well, he’s fit and if he can get a bit of luck in running, who knows? You’ve got to be in to win.”