Despite not being physically present at Royal Randwick this Saturday, trainer Bjorn Baker is set to unleash a strong contingent for the feature race, the Listed Civic Stakes, run over 1400 metres.

Baker has been at Royal Ascot this week, attending to his stable star sprinter Overpass, who put in a gallant third-place effort in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1005m) on Tuesday night. A final decision on whether Overpass will back up on Saturday night to compete against Joliestar in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1207m) is still pending, but the stable will be represented by four runners in the Civic Stakes.

Racing manager Luke Hilton, who is managing the home operations, confirmed that Hollywood Hero, Midnight Dynamite, Amor Victorious, and Point And Shoot are all slated for winter campaigns. “Hollywood Hero was really good the other day. He may need further again, but he was outstanding,” Hilton said. He also mentioned, “Midnight Dynamite was really good the other day too.” On Amor Victorious, Hilton elaborated, “Amor Victorious is coming back off a short let-up. He had a bit of a setback (after Scone) so he had a bit of a break, but he’s in good order now. He doesn’t love wet ground. If we can just not have really wet ground it will suit him.” Adding about Point And Shoot, he stated, “With Point And Shoot, it depends which Point And Shoot turns up.”

Last year’s Civic Stakes winner, Headley Grange, went on to achieve Group One success. While the Baker quartet may not reach those same heights, the winter racing program should offer ample opportunities for stakes victories. “We’re going to roll through with all four of them. You’ve got the Winter Stakes, the Winter Challenge. Unfortunately they’ve probably all got to keep taking each other on, but it’s a good problem to have,” Hilton commented.

Hollywood Hero requires three scratchings to make the final 15-runner field, while Midnight Dynamite is the current market elect, opening at $3.60 with Jason Collett booked to ride from barrier eight. The Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) is scheduled for Rosehill on July 4, and the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) will take place at Rosehill on July 18.

The online bookmakers will be offering a wide range of racing odds for the Civic Stakes and other upcoming races.