Victory in the Pago Pago Stakes has clinched Warwoven a late entry into the Golden Slipper.
Bjorn Baker’s duo of frontrunners for the Golden Slipper looks even more formidable after Warwoven’s polished effort earned him qualification in the Pago Pago Stakes.
Paradoxium, the $5 joint market fancy, is already in, so Baker was virtually obliged to run Warwoven Saturday to guarantee his inclusion, and the colt duly obliged.
Both had been sidelined from the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions Classic in January for distinct reasons, leading Baker to stay grounded while appreciating Warwoven’s recovery from his prior defeat.
“We’re not counting our chickens until he’s at the start line,” Baker said.
“But it was great to see him do that. He’s a promising horse. He had to do a bit of work early today, so hopefully he can peak next week.
“We’ve got to, first and foremost, see how he comes through, but two in the Slipper . . . very special.”
Warwoven’s Magic Millions participation was halted controversially by lameness diagnosed by Queensland Racing vets, and Paradoxium dealt with pneumonia.
Paradoxium bounced back emphatically last week in the Todman Stakes, leaving Baker to ponder if the duo’s early woes might benefit them now.
“I’ll tell you in about seven days and three hours,” he said.
“It could well be. It’s funny how things in this game, they have a funny way of working. You can be down and out, and it only takes one runner to get back on track.”
From $2.70, Warwoven raced in second before hitting the front in the straight to beat Outspan ($41) by a length, as Central Europe ($2.20 favourite) trailed by half a head in third.
Warwoven clocked 1:10.41, a touch superior to Pembrey’s mark in the Magic Night Stakes (1200m) earlier.
Jockey Rachel King expressed joy at the colt’s step up from his first-up fourth in the Skyline Stakes (1200m), foreseeing additional improvement for the $5 million showdown.
“There’s more under the bonnet, and I think if he gets challenged, there’s even more under the bonnet than today,” King said.
“He’s very exciting.”
Warwoven is now $7 from $9 for Saturday’s Golden Slipper (1200m), with King confirmed to stay aboard by Baker.
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