The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) is the ultimate stallion making race and as the colts paraded at Rosehill on Saturday the depth of quality in the field was there for all to see, but at the winning post there was just one that soared above the rest.
The most expensive Australian yearling from the first crop of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State, Warwoven has always been a showstopper and now he is the first Group I winner for his sire and the victory has come in one of the Australian bloodstock industry’s most coveted races.
The Golden Rose has earned a reputation as a stallion-making race with a roll of honour that includes the likes of Zoustar, The Autumn Sun, Bivouac, Ole Kirk and Broadsiding.
Now Warwoven has put himself on that same valuable path.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt went into the race as the winner of four of his seven starts, including a convincing last-start success in the Group II ATC Run to the Rose (1200m).
Stepping out to 1400m for the first time, Warwoven rose to the occasion and blew his opponents away.
Ridden as usual by Rachel King, Warwoven settled in fourth on the rail and was stuck in a pocket coming around the home turn.
King found an opening and angled Warwoven into clear air with 300m to run, and the colt burst to the front with a breathtaking turn of foot. He streaked clear to win by three lengths from St Gotthard and Under Focus.
“He was dominant,” King said. “He’s very good, we know he’s very good, and it was just very satisfying for him to go out there and do that today.
“I was a little bit worried when we were stuck back on the fence. I thought we’d either be leading or on the leader’s back.
“But he’s a very good horse. There was enough tempo on. There was enough pressure. He just put his head down and relaxed and was beautiful in the run.
“We know he’s got an awesome turn of foot, and I was desperate to get him up over this kind of distance and probably even further. He’s proven that he’s the real deal today.”
Warwoven’s eight-race career has now produced five wins and $1.16 million in stakes.
“This is very special,” Baker said. “I thought he paraded superbly. He’s so good-looking. He’s so fast. I don’t even have to sell him, he sold himself. So many of my great friends are in this horse, and you saw an amazing performance today.
“A lot of form analysts out there, you are allowed your own opinion, that is what makes our game so great. But I thought this colt was right in it.
“He’s a serious horse and now we are looking at the Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m). Even the Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m). His mother was very good at 2000m, and he relaxed beautifully today. But one step at a time. It is an amazing game, racing. It is the best game in the world and I don’t say that lightly.
“He’s a colt, so he’ll be a stallion now.”
A $380,000 Magic Millions purchase from Kia Ora for Ridgmont/Bjorn Baker Racing/S & J Gosling /Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Warwoven runs for an ownership group that includes Ridgmont in whose colours he runs with Kia Ora also retaining an interest.
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, he is the first foal of Group II winner Needle and Thread, who comes from an elite European female packed with quality stayers, so this guy has a real mix of Aussie speed and stamina on the page.
His first four dams all won up to at least 2000m and three of the four are stakes-winners which tells you Warwoven is not short on class or stamina.
The second foal of Needle and Thread is a colt by Farnan that was sold as a weanling for $65,000 and then again by Blue Gum Farm at MM National Yearling Sale this year for $150,000 to Kendrick Racing/Kariba Racing.
Purchased by Kia Ora Stud online through Gavelhouse from the Valachi Downs Dispersal for $410,000, Needle and Thread produced a filly by Farnan for Kia Ora last spring, but missed subsequently so will have no foal this year.
Warwoven is the clear headline act among the six winners so far sired by Sword Of State, who commands a $50,000 service fee at Cambridge Stud.
