Struggling to be competitive a year ago, Iknowastar is now being readied for a $3 million race.
After nine barrier trials and three unplaced runs to start his career, Iknowastar was on the verge of being moved on from Bjorn Baker's stable.
Now the four-year-old is one of the most improved horses in his yard with seven wins from 14 starts, the past three in a row, including a dominant performance in the Headwater @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1400m) on the Randwick-Kensington track on Wednesday.
"To think a while back he had three hooves out of the stable, he's done a remarkable job," Baker said.
"He's been a great ride for the owners and the best is yet to come.
"You wouldn't recognise him from where he was six months ago, so he's coming on physically as well as mentally.
"He's been a very pleasant surprise. There is only one rule with some of those horses, there are no rules. You can never pick them and we've probably got the key to him (now)."
That key is to let Iknowastar stride out in front, with five of his wins coming when he has led.
He did that on Wednesday, and at his prior start in the Dubbo Cup, a qualifying race for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day and Iknowastar's campaign target.
"That's the way he likes to run," Baker said.
"He will give the Big Dance a shake I think."
While Iknowastar continued on his winning way at Randwick, there was an overdue first success for Queen Of Dragons in the opening race.
Fourth to Red Resistance on debut in January before bumping into subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Militarize at her next start the filly had faced some tough opponents, but co-trainer Paul Snowden said he had still expected her to break her maiden before start number six.
"She ran second to Militarize and at the time we were disappointed to get beaten, but there's probably a reason we got beaten," Snowden said.
"We did have plans early days, but it's taken her too long to win her maiden so now we've just got to duck and dive and see if she keeps on improving.
"She has always shown ability, it's good to see her do that today. It's a good start."
The Snowdens made it an early double when well-bred mare Ghaanati, a half-sister to dual group 1 winner and successful sire Pride Of Dubai, took out the TAB Handicap (1250m).
