Warwoven has solidified his status as Australia’s premier colt with a dominant win in Saturday’s $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper proved his commanding Golden Rose victory was no fluke, overcoming Victoria’s finest 1600-metre three-year-olds in his Melbourne debut.
He now joins the esteemed company of Ole Kirk and The Autumn Sun, both now established star stallions commanding over $100,000 stud fees in the Hunter Valley, as horses to complete the Golden Rose/Guineas double since the former achieved Group 1 status in 2009.
While he was the $6.50 third favourite in the Golden Rose, Warwoven started the Guineas at $2.40. Bjorn Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, who deputised on-course at Caulfield with Baker back home in Sydney, spoke of the relief the victory brought.
“It is a bit emotional, actually, there was a bit more pressure today,” Hilton said. “There was more excitement in Sydney, but there was a fair bit of pressure with him today. Bjorn has said for a long time that he could be one of those special horses that don’t come around too often. He’s proving him right so far.”
Warwoven, a first-crop member of Kiwi stallion Sword Of State, was delivered a brilliant ride by Rachel King, Hilton’s wife, marking their first Caulfield Guineas triumphs.
King adopted a forward position from the outset but allowed Warwoven to settle midfield, one off the fence, after encountering more early pressure than expected before initiating her move around 500 metres from home.
Blind Raise ($3.10) offered resistance after dashing for home early in the straight, but Warwoven drew level at the 100-metre mark before surging clear to win by 1-3/4 lengths. Call Me Coach ($15) secured third place, 3-1/4 lengths behind the winner.
“He leaves me speechless, this horse – he’s unbelievable,” King declared. “There were a few question marks today; we didn’t know how he’d handle going this way around and Caulfield’s not an easy track to come to first time Melbourne way. But he’s just got so much class and he was still arrogant again. I know a lot of people said, ‘how can he peak again?’, but I don’t think he has peaked. I think there’s still more there.”
Warwoven remains a contender for the $6 million Cox Plate (2040m), a race Baker had previously stated would be a target for the colt if he performed well in the Guineas. He is now the $5 third favourite for the October 24 event.
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