Bjorn Baker’s stable is headed north with high hopes as Sandpaper and Iowna Merc gear up for the $1 million The Archer at Rockhampton this Sunday.

The 1300m feature race, a slot-format contest now in its fourth year, is attracting strong attention with both New South Wales-trained geldings atop betting markets at $4 and $4.80 respectively.

“It’s not an easy race – there isn’t any,” said Luke Hilton, racing manager for the Baker operation.

Sandpaper, a five-year-old who’s flourished since joining the stable, claimed the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes in March and rebounded strongly after a wide run in the Doncaster Prelude.

“Sandpaper is coming off a good win and he’s had a long preparation,” Hilton said.

“He’s been a revelation in his first preparation for us after Darby Racing bought him online.”

Iowna Merc has also proven himself a stable asset, rarely missing the placings over his last nine starts and running a strong fifth in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

“He’s been a phenomenal revelation,” Hilton said. “We’ve stretched him out in distance which has been the making of him.

“He ran really well in the Doncaster but was crucified with the bad gate (12) and we had to go back.

“I thought he ran a tremendous race with no luck and no speed which worked against him as well.

“On paper, he’s got one of the best formlines in the race.”

Nash Rawiller, riding at Rockhampton for the first time, takes the reins on Sandpaper, while Ash Morgan sticks with Iowna Merc.

Fellow top jockey Craig Williams is also heading north, booked to ride Comrade Rosa for Tony Gollan, currently priced at $12.