The $200,000 Group III MVRC Chautauqua Stakes (1300m) was a casualty of the wild weather at Sandown last Saturday with the race held over until today and the impressive winner Warnie (IRE) will now be looking to keep the G1 winning run going for Bennett Racing.
Bennett Racing achieved Group I success last season with brilliant sprinter Baraquiel and classy filly Fireball Miss, who won the Queensland Oaks, with the Group I MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on September 19 pencilled in as the immediate target race for Warnie.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, imported Highland Reel gelding Warnie made good progress last season with a G2 win at Flemington and a lucrative victory in the $1million Ladbrokes Supernova at Pakenham.
Second up from a spell today with Mark Zahra to ride, Warnie was ridden cold and flew home from last to overhaul his stablemate Tennessee Bound, who led and gave a good kick.
She tried hard and earned valuable Black Type, but was outclassed late when Warnie surged past to win by more than a length eased down.
“The mare was gallant in defeat, but to see Warnie sit back where he was with a few lengths to make up and quicken the way he did and eased down late was impressive,” said stable representative Jack Bruce.
“We think 1400 to a mile is his go and he’s a horse we have always held in high regard, it just took him a little while to get there.
“It’s terribly exciting for Nathan (Bennett), who is here today and Bennett Racing on the whole.
“Gelding has worked well for him and allowed him to relax. He used to be too strong both at home and in his races and now he’s softened and gone from a Norton (bit) back to a cross over and just grown up essentially.”
Taking his overall record to seven wins and six placings from 25 starts with over $1.2million, the 6yo gelding has been a consistent performer for Bennett Racing who secured him for 65,000 guineas from the Knockanglass Stables consignment at the 2023 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale when purchased in conjunction with Blandford Bloodstock.
Bred by Glenanore Stud, Warnie is the best of three winners from Footstepsinthesand mare Cumbfree, a half-sister to the Listed winner Call On Me.
Warnie is the best of six stakes-winners for Galileo’s seven-time Group I winner Highland Reel.
