Prior to Saturday, The Autumn Sun and Ole Kirk were the only stallions to complete the G1 Golden Rose Stakes–G1 Caulfield Guineas double since the former achieved Group 1 status in 2009, and given the records both are carving at stud, the future is looking particularly bright for new double scorer Warwoven (Sword Of State).
Bjorn Baker’s stable star was sent south for the first time for his back to back Group 1 mission, and he was given a positive ride out of the barriers by regular partner Rachel King, before securing a midfield spot under a high pressure tempo.
As the field turned for home, it was time for the colt to make his move, eating into a hefty lead set by Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) before surging away past him to win by a length and three quarters. A further three and a quarter lengths stretched back the next fastest finisher, Call Me Coach (Dundeel {NZ}) who was having his third start.
“He leaves me speechless, this horse – he’s unbelievable,” King said. “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.”
Baker’s assistant trainer Luke Hilton was the first to admit that there was a lot of pressure heading into the Guineas after the colt, whose majority owner is Ridgmont, thwarted the Golden Rose field by over three lengths. It wasn’t a race that was an easy watch either.
“The race probably didn’t pan out how we thought,” Hilton said, praising the performance from King. “Incredible ride, Rachel, (she) had her wits about her. She knew what she had under her and when she hadn’t moved on him on the corner, I thought he must be travelling well.
“He’s an outstanding colt. 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.”
The winner of six of his nine starts to date, Warwove remains in the nominations for the G1 Cox Plate, where he has been allotted a featherlight 49.5kg.
Sales: Warwoven was purchased by Ridgmont, Bjorn Baker Racing, S & J Gosling, and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) for $380,000 from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree: Warwoven is the first foal out of the Group 2-winning mare Needle And Thread (Makfi {GB}). Needle And Thread is a half-sister to the late Listed winner and multiple Group 1-placed stallion Savile Row (NZ), and another member of this very strong family is the dual Group 1 winner and stallion The Gurkha (Ire), and the Group 1-placed Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
Needle And Thread has a 2-year-old and yearling by Farnan to follow, and has crossed back across the Tasman this spring to visit Sword Of State again.
Story from TTR AUS NZ
