Rivals of unbeaten youngster Warwoven have been left with an even tougher assignment following Tuesday’s barrier draw for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic, with the colt landing barrier six for Saturday’s $3 million feature.
The Sword Of State juvenile has been faultless in two starts, building on a stylish Randwick debut with a runaway 3.3-length win at Eagle Farm on January 3 that stamped him as the horse to beat.
Trainer Bjorn Baker, chasing consecutive victories in the Classic after last year’s triumph with O’ Ole, reported Warwoven had enjoyed the ideal lead-up.
“He had a nice gallop this morning,” Bjorn said post Tuesday’s draw.
“He had a good gallop towards the end of last week, and this morning it wasn’t so much about running time.
“It was just about finishing off nicely, following a horse, and he looked really good that last bit.
“He looked to recover well, I think he’s fit and ready to go.”
If the emergency comes out, Warwoven moves into barrier five — a scenario Baker believes is spot on.
“Very happy, I think it’s ideal,” Baker said.
“I didn’t want to be too close to the inside, and you don’t want to be covering ground out deep.
“I think he’s got good tactical speed and he’s very laid back. He should be able to jump, hopefully put himself in the first six or seven comfortably enough.
“Sometimes you can overanalyse, you don’t know how the track’s going to play, but at this stage, very happy with the gate.”
Warwoven firmed to $2.10 with online betting sites, with Rachel King to maintain the partnership. Baker also saddles outsider Masvingo (barrier 12) in the 2yo Classic and O’ Ole, last year’s winner, in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas.
O’ Ole has barrier 10, and Baker is banking on the return to the Gold Coast to spark improvement.
“She’s going to have to improve and get back to her best to be competitive, but she’s not out of it,” Baker said.
“Of course, she won the two-year-old race last year, so we know she goes well at the Gold Coast.”
Meanwhile, hot favourite Ninja eased slightly from $1.75 to $1.85 after coming up with the outside barrier (17 of 17), although his explosive 4.8-length win in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) keeps him clearly on top.
