Jockey Rachel King is making her way back to Melbourne to partner Warwoven in a vital track gallop, the final confirmation needed for the colt’s potential inclusion in the Cox Plate at Flemington.
King, who partnered the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven to a Caulfield Guineas win on October 10, recently took the three-year-old for a canter at Cranbourne on Friday morning.
She will return on Tuesday morning for a more significant gallop, which will influence the final decision on whether Warwoven contests the Cox Plate (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday.
Warwoven had the measure of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s charge, Blind Raise, in the Guineas. Warwoven has been stabled with the latter partnership since arriving in Melbourne the day before his Guineas success.
“I went in on Friday to give him a little canter around and I didn’t know if I would be allowed in the stable,” King commented. “They’re great. They look after Bjorn’s horses when they come down, and we look after theirs when they go to Sydney. Bjorn and Trent are pretty good friends, although that result might have tested the friendship a bit with this horse.”
King elaborated on her upcoming plans: “I’ll be back down on Tuesday to gallop him as it’s more that I know him and to make sure he feels the same. If you put someone else on that hasn’t ridden him before, it’s tricky to tell where he’s at.”
The jockey reported that Warwoven has bounced back well from his Guineas victory and believes the colt still possesses further improvement.
However, she is acutely aware that the Cox Plate represents a significant step up in competition.
“I don’t think we’ve reached the ceiling with him yet, which is exciting,” King stated. “The Cox Plate is another different kettle of fish and we’re under no illusion that it a different ball game against the older horses. He does get that massive weight relief and this year being at Flemington it helps a little bit, for any of the three-year-olds, as it’s bit easier than getting around Moonee Valley as there’s not that added pressure of getting around that tight track. He’s by far the best hose I’ve sat on. It’s a privilege to be associated with a horse like that and we have to make the most of it while we can. He is a colt and we don’t know how long he will be around.”
Tuesday’s gallop will be the deciding factor for Warwoven’s Cox Plate campaign, with connections assessing his readiness against top-tier competition. Explore the latest racing betting markets for the event.
