Bjorn Baker sprinter Malkovich set for Concorde Stakes return

Trial star Malkovich is ready to explode first up in Saturday's Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick with trainer Bjorn Baker confident his classy entire is going as good as he ever has.

The Choisir five-year-old is heading into perhaps the most import preparation of his career as Baker prepares to chase a Group 1 with his stallion prospect.

Malkovich is currently only a Listed winner but has placed on several more stakes races and was fourth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate earlier this year.

A strong showing in the Concorde would set him up for a massive spring.

Malkovich has won both his trials in the lead up to the $500,000 event, including a recent 4-3/4 length effort at Randwick on August 19.

“I think he is going better than ever,” Baker said.

“I know it’s strange because he is a five-year-old stallion and he always wins trials and you can’t probably differentiate too much but I think he has had a couple of very good trials.

“Weather looks okay and we won’t change anything with him.

“He has that natural speed and we will use it.”

Quizzed why he believes Malkovich is in career-best condition, Baker added; “He is probably that little bit more relaxed.”

“The two things with that is, he jumps better which is good and the second thing is with his trackwork, he has just been switching off a little bit more mid stages.

“Rachel (King) has been doing a lot of work on him this preparation in particular and she is really, really happy with him.”

King will retain the ride on Malkovich in the Concorde.

Baker hopes the race will provide the perfect tune up for a Melbourne Group 1 raid next month.

“I think if he goes well on Saturday and I think he will, we would be able to head to a race like the Moir Stakes with a bit of confidence,” he said.

Malkovich is currently rated a $26 TAB chance for the Moir Stakes at The Valley on September 23.