Warwoven’s conquest of the Pago Pago Stakes has guaranteed him a slot in the Golden Slipper.
With this result from a workmanlike showing in the Pago Pago Stakes, Bjorn Baker now holds two prime candidates for the Golden Slipper.
The trainer entered Warwoven on Saturday to seal his qualification, given Paradoxium’s status as $5 equal favourite already in the field, and the colt delivered the goods.
January’s Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast eluded both due to individual ailments, so Baker avoided overhyping despite relishing Warwoven’s resurgence after his opening loss.
“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.”
A veterinary call of lameness led to Warwoven’s disputed scratching from the Magic Millions by Queensland Racing, with Paradoxium sidelined by a pneumonia episode.
Paradoxium signalled his return to peak condition via a stylish win in the prior week’s Todman Stakes, and Baker muses that their setbacks could prove fortuitous.
“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.”
Warwoven ($2.70) held second before dashing away to score by a length ahead of $41 shot Outspan, and Central Europe ($2.20 favourite) was half a head further behind in third.
The colt stopped the clock at 1:10.41, just beating the benchmark set by Pembrey in the Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Rachel King, aboard for the win, was impressed by the improvement on his fresh fourth in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) and predicts upside for next week’s $5 million spectacle.
“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.”
For the Golden Slipper (1200m) on Saturday, Warwoven has firmed to $7 from $9, and Baker will stick with King in the saddle.
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