The Bjorn Baker trained War Eternal is in career best form at present and cracked millionaire status when he made it back-to-back stakes wins after taking out the $160,000 Listed BRC Spear Chief Handicap (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
A last start winner of the Listed BRC Bernborough Handicap at Doomben last month, the Pierro gelding was tenacious to the line for Rachel King and just kept finding under pressure to win by a head.
The seven-year-old is held in high regard by the Baker stable as noted by stable representative Jim Clarke.
“He's a beautiful horse and he's been a bit of a stable stalwart for a while now,” Clarke said.
“He's got a few years in his legs now, and I think he's ticked over $1million. So, he's an absolute ripper.
"The barrier was obviously a bit of a concern when they came out and he was going to be starting in a different state. But with the scratchings he came in (to barrier 9) and Rachel gave him a beautiful ride.
“He ended up in a great spot, and even though his better form is with a bit of juice in the ground, he has performed well on good tracks in the past.”
King was also delighted with the win from a horse she has a definite soft spot for.
“He's so tough and genuine, tries his hardest and even though we drew a little bit tricky today, we ended up in a beautiful spot,” she said.
“He came back underneath me and he's very professional in everything he does. I loved the way he toughed it out.
"One of the owners said to me that all his wins had come on soft tracks and the track here is perfect for him (Soft 5). He doesn't want it jarring but there's enough give in it for him."
War Eternal has now had 39 starts for seven wins, eight placings with prizemoney topping $1million.
Bred by Cambridge Stud principals sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, War Eternal was purchased by his trainer from the Cambridge Stud draft at Karaka Book 1 for $160,000.
War Eternal is the best of three winners from five foals to race from Fastnet Rock mare Aleria, a placed daughter of stakes-winner Impressive Eagle from the family of Group I winner Eagle Way.
Aleria has since produced unraced three-year-old Circus Maximus gelding Irish Master, followed by two-year-old Per Incanto colt Stoneflight, who sold to Sanxiong Gao for $750,000 at the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka in November.
Aleria has a weanling filly by Almanzor (Fr) and was served by Cambridge’s well-credentialled young shuttle stallion Chaldean (GB) last spring.
War Eternal is one of 41 stakes-winners for Golden Slipper winning sire Pierro, who is exceptional value at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $22,000.
