Bjorn Baker is not taking up the opportunity to send Warwoven (Sword Of State) to Caulfield for Tuesday morning's traditional Guineas Week track gallops, but the star colt will continue his familiarisation with another strong workout the Melbourne way of going at home in Sydney.

The Golden Rose winner ramped up preparations for this Saturday's A$3 million Group One with his most serious gallop anti-clockwise last week and will have another in company at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

All of Warwoven's eight starts have been 'right-handed', but Baker has immense belief in the son of Sword Of State and is confident he can also excel racing the other direction.

"He's fantastic, he's got a great attitude, he's really bombproof," he said.

"He had a nice gallop left-handed on Thursday, it wasn't about breaking the clock, not in his first proper gallop, and we will probably give him a mate on Tuesday and aim to do a bit more.

"But he's been very, very good."

Warwoven landed his maiden Group One win when he spanked his rivals by 3-1/4 lengths in the A$1 million Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 26.

That was the first run at 1400m for the colt who has won the Gr.2 Run To The Rose and Gr.3 Pago Pago Stakes at 1200m and Baker's plans beyond Saturday indicate he thinks 1600m will not be an issue.

The Kiwi trainer is keen to take Warwoven to the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington on October 24 if performs up to expectations at Caulfield.

"You have to dream and that's what the race is about," Baker said when asked about the prospect of a Cox Plate start.

"His mother was a Group Two winner over 2000m.

"He relaxes really well and he can absorb pressure, which he showed last Saturday.

"It's one step at a time, we all know that, but if he goes to the Caulfield Guineas and goes as well as I hope he will I think we'll be able to go forward to the Cox Plate."

Caulfield Guineas barriers will be drawn just a few hours after Tuesday's trackwork session with the remainder of Saturday's fields, which include the Gr. 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Gr.1 Might And Power (2000m) at elite level, will be finalised on Wednesday morning.

Warwoven is the clear headline act among the six winners so far sired by Cambridge Stud sire Sword Of State.

Warwoven is the first foal of the Makfi mare Needle And Thread, who was the winner of the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and placed at Group Two level in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Eight Carat Classic (1600m). - NZ Racing Desk

Platinum Pantheon on track for Silver Eagle

Palmerston North gelding Platinum Pantheon (Hanseatic) got his Australian campaign off to a pleasing start at Randwick on Saturday when finishing runner-up over 1200m.

It was the four-year-old gelding’s fourth consecutive second placing, having been runner-up in his last three outings in Queensland over winter, including the Gr.3 Winx Guineas (1600m) and Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).

Trainer Lisa Latta was buoyed by his first-up performance and she is hoping he can now gain a start in the A$1 million Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday week.

“He was doing his best work late and it was exactly what we wanted fresh-up,” Latta said. “He has come through the race really well and he has eaten up.

“All going well, he will go to the Silver Eagle in a fortnight. We will double nom him that day, there are a few other races, if he didn’t make that field.”

Back in New Zealand, Latta was pleased with Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Manzor Blue’s (NZ) (Almanzor) fourth placing in Saturday’s Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera.

“I am just gutted that the rain came in the morning, she just didn’t need that,” Latta said. “She had another solid hit-out and Joe Doyle (jockey) was really happy with her. She found the line well.”

Manzor Blue will now head to Australia to contest the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 21, with the winner earning a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

Latta was also happy with the fourth placed performance of Connello (NZ) (Time Test) in Saturday’s Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).

“We will press on with her at this stage, and she will probably go to an open 1400m at Otaki in three weeks’ time,” she said.

Meanwhile, Latta is looking forward to heading to Hastings on Saturday with He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto), who will bid to double his elite-level tally in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

The winner of the 2023 Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), He’s A Doozy has finished fifth in his two starts this preparation, and Latta has been pleased with his progression.

“I have been happy with his two runs back,” she said. “We have had apprentices on him and he has done exactly what we have wanted him to do. Kelly Myers rides him in the Livamol.”

He’s A Doozy is currently paying $61 on the TAB’s futures Market for the Livamol Classic, which is headed by Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) and Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) at $2.50. - Joshua Smith

Breeding group toasts Flemington stakes success

An international partnership savoured a top result at Flemington on Saturday when Miss Waititi (NZ) (Circus Maximus) broke her maiden in style in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m).

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained daughter of Circus Maximus was bred by Windsor Park Stud with the Singapore-based Ben Kwok and Australian’s Katom, an entity of Coolmore.

“She’s always been very highly regarded by the stable and earlier in the year they spruiked her to us as one that would really go places,” Windsor Park General Manager Steve Till said.

“Not many win a stakes race at their third start at a Flemington carnival, she was very strong and she’s now a $4 favourite for the VRC Oaks (Gr.1, 2500m).”

Miss Waititi was initially passed in at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Windsor Park and was subsequently sold for $30,000 to Cambridge trainer Tony Pike at the stud’s South Island Rugby, Racing and Beer Sale.

A trial placing at Avondale last year subsequently caught the eye of agent Phill Cataldo, and on his recommendation, she was purchased by clients of Price and Kent.

She is out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare Fritillary, who was a A$165,000 buy at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

“We went through the catalogue to come up with a short list and Roddy (Schick) went over to the sale and he liked the mare,” Till said.

“We had to go a bit above budget for her, but it’s a beautiful family that’s had a lot of success in the States and Coolmore has had a lot to do with it.

“They offered Fritillary and approached Roddy to see if they could keep a piece of her.

“We’ve had a long association with Coolmore, going back to the late 1990s when we first got Tale Of The Cat and all the shuttle horses like Montjeu, High Chaparral, Mastercraftsman etc and right up to today with Auguste Rodin and Circus Maximus.”

Kwok also has a long and successful relationship with Windsor Park and has a number of mares resident at the farm.

“Ben came in on Fritillary and he had a good weekend, he was also involved in the breeding of the two-year-old winner (Shraddha, Gr.3 Gimcrack Stakes, 1000m) and had a winner (Larius Lacus) at Timaru as well,” Till said.

Miss Waititi’s juvenile sister has been retained and is currently being broken in, while Fritillary produced a colt this season by Auguste Rodin and has been served by Paddington.

The partnership is also breeding from Fritillary’s first foal, the unraced Yes Yes Yes mare Affirmation.

“She’s got a lovely Circus Maximus colt going to Karaka next year so that’s a major lift on the pedigree page for him,” Till said. - Paul Vettise

Inglewood Stud Tests the Waters with Ready to Run Sale Draft

The South Island’s Inglewood Stud is renowned for the quality of yearling drafts they bring north to Karaka on a regular basis, but next month’s NZB Ready to Run Sale takes the respected nursery into uncharted territory.

It will be Inglewood Stud’s first time selling horses at the world’s leading sale of two-year-olds.

“It’s a new thing for us,” said Gus Wigley, who owns and operates Inglewood Stud with his wife Bianca.

“It’s obviously a sale that’s done very, very well, and there have been plenty of our horses in the past that have been bought as yearlings and then turned over successfully as two-year-olds at the Ready to Run Sale.

“We’ve decided to roll the dice ourselves this year, see how we go and hopefully have a bit of fun doing it.

“We were having a bit of a quieter spring this year, and we know that we’ve got the skillset here in our team with Kayla (Milnes) and Jo (Boakes), who go to the track every day with our racehorses. Kayla has been doing all of the breaking and education for us for quite a long time now. So we’re giving it a go and we’ll see how we get on.”

Inglewood’s inaugural Ready to Run Sale draft is made up of two horses. Lot 319 is a gelding by Wild Ruler out of a winning half-sister to the Group Two winner Vanna Girl (Husson), while Lot 449 is a Profondo filly from an outstanding Inglewood family that goes back to Group One winner Seamist (NZ) (Beaufort Sea).

“We had a really nice Harry Angel colt as well, but he unfortunately had to come out and we’ll give him a bit more time and then put him into training ourselves,” Wigley said.

“We’ve still got two nice ones in there. The Profondo is a lovely filly from our good Seamist family. She’s thrived through the sale preparation and is a big, strong girl now. I think she’ll be popular.

“The Wild Ruler was entered for Karaka earlier in the year and just cut open a hock the week before the sale. It was very much a superficial injury, but just the timing meant he couldn’t go up there on a plane and make the sale. He’s certainly gone the right way in between times.”

Inglewood’s North Canterbury location does create an additional challenge in the lead-up to next month’s sale.

“It will be a big ask – they’re heading up later this week for the Breeze Ups, and then they come back home for a month before travelling north again for the sale,” Wigley said.

“We looked at a few options, but in the end that’s the approach we decided on. We’ll try doing it all ourselves this year and see how it all goes.”

View Inglewood Stud's draft online here.

The 2026 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 18 & 19 November, with Breeze Ups to be held across two consecutive days on one turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse on 12 & 13 October from 9.30am. - New Zealand Bloodstock

New Zealand-bred Definitive delivers for War Decree in Hong Kong

New Zealand-bred gelding Definitive (NZ) (War Decree) stepped up with an emphatic first Class 2 victory at Sha Tin on Sunday, winning the HK$3.12 million Muk Min Ha Handicap (1650m) on the dirt for trainer David Eustace.

The five-year-old son of War Decree made the most of a light weight and a well-judged ride from Karis Teetan to score by two and a quarter lengths over Talents Ambition (Into Mischief), with Sky Vino (Vino Rosso) third.

Bred by Ysberg Bloodstock, Definitive is out of the Rip Van Winkle mare Fascinate Me. He was purchased by Mike Breslin for $50,000 from Inglewood Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2022 and won a race in New Zealand under the name Revolt before joining Eustace in Hong Kong.

Jumping from barrier seven on Sunday, Definitive settled behind pacemaker Sing Dragon before Teetan moved up to challenge approaching the home straight. Taking control at the 400m, he drew clear to complete the journey in 1m 38s.

“He went down to the gates feeling good and when he came out so well, I thought, that’s halfway home already,” Teetan said.

“He was able to control the race and he picked it up nicely. He had no weight on his back and he was in the perfect spot.”

Carrying just 115lb, Definitive gave his rivals little opportunity to respond, producing a performance that reinforced Teetan’s confidence in his ability.

“I always knew he had ability, and sometimes it’s just about him bringing his ‘A game’ to the races, too,” he said.

“I must say, well done to David and his team – they had the horse spot on.”

The success continued a productive start to the season for Eustace, who had claimed a Group Three victory with Colourful King (Blue Point) three days earlier. Definitive provided the trainer with his fifth winner of the campaign.

While the son of War Decree proved effective on Sha Tin’s dirt surface, a return to Happy Valley is likely as Eustace considers his next assignment. Definitive has already won three times at the city circuit.

“He got a beautiful ride and the setup of the race worked out well for him,” Eustace said.

“He’s got to take his medicine from the handicapper, and there are not too many options for him on the dirt, but he’s got a very effective record at Happy Valley.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

🎥 Did you see?

NZ Stallion Awards

The Centaine Award 
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.

The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.

The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.

NZ BRED WINNERS

Global NZ-bred winners

2026-09-26 / 2026-10-03

AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Miss Shu (NZ)(Devil Miss by Dane Shadow) 2020;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Ewan ATC Allingham FamilyQTIS H. 1300m

Acrobat : Backflips (NZ)(Bellspath by New Approach) 2023;
02 Oct 2026, 1st Lockhart PRC Hounsell and Sons Maiden P. 1200m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $60000

Almanzor : Aldezor (NZ)(Dee Day by Dalghar) 2021;
30 Sep 2026, 1st Geraldton TC Hahn 3.5 Maiden P. 1100m
Sold by Phoenix Park at National Yearling Sale for $80000

Ardrossan : Tam Na Ghar (NZ)(Royal Queen by His Royal Highness) 2021;
03 Oct 2026, 1st GCTC TAB H. 1400m

Belardo : Anotherhouse (NZ)(Divorcee by Iffraaj) 2020;
03 Oct 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Fore Design Flex Planning H. 1100m

Belardo : Aurora Belle (NZ)(Nina Arora by Don Eduardo) 2022;
30 Sep 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Sportsbet H. 1200m

Belardo : Vin Santo (NZ)(La Praline by Anabaa) 2021;
27 Sep 2026, 1st SCTC Peter Andrew H. 1200m

Circus Maximus : Miss Waititi (NZ)(Fritillary by Fastnet Rock) 2023;
03 Oct 2026, 1st VRC Super Impose S.L1800m

Contributer : Hard Questions (NZ)(Curraghmore Girl by Duke Of Marmalade) 2018;
03 Oct 2026, 1st Moora RC Moora Cup 1800m
Sold by Valachi Downs at National Yearling Sale for $20000

Contributer : Hard Questions (NZ)(Curraghmore Girl by Duke Of Marmalade) 2018;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Mingenew TC Mingenew Cup 2000m
Sold by Valachi Downs at National Yearling Sale for $20000

Contributer : Criteria (NZ)(Deinira by Savabeel) 2021;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Suttons Arncliffe Maiden P. 2000m

Contributer : Sister's Run (NZ)(Isle du Cap by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
30 Sep 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Mortimer Petroleum Maiden P. 2016m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $100000

Darci Brahma : Darci Lane (NZ)(Wood Lane by Sadler's Wells) 2022;
27 Sep 2026, 1st Strathalbyn RC Lions Club of Strathalbyn District H. 1600m
Sold by Seaton Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $35000

Embellish : Kensington's Jewel (NZ)(De Kensington Oval by Red Giant) 2020;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Longreach JC Ardrossan Angus P. 1000m

Hello Youmzain : Hello Liz (NZ)(Queens Rose by O'Reilly) 2023;
01 Oct 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Snap Printing Wollongong Maiden H. 1200m
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $150000

Hello Youmzain : Crudo (NZ)(Diamond Dream by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
03 Oct 2026, 1st Richmond TC Mud Hut Hotel Motel H. 1200m
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $260000

Hello Youmzain : Concrete Storm (NZ)(Black Sav by Savabeel) 2023;
30 Sep 2026, 1st ATC Asahi Dry H. 1400m
Sold by Kilgravin Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000

Maurice : Cosmic Crusader (NZ)(Cosmic Storm by Street Sense) 2020;
03 Oct 2026, 1st VRC Turnbull S.Gr.12000m

Ocean Park : Giggenbach (NZ)(Rina Bettina by Reliable Man) 2021;
03 Oct 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Rural City of Murray Bridge H. 2000m
Sold by Lilywhites Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $110000

Ocean Park : Liberty Park (NZ)(Liberty Pride by Hinchinbrook) 2021;
03 Oct 2026, 1st BRC Ladbrokes H. 1600m

Ocean Park : Mahmoa (NZ)(Winkelmann by Rip Van Winkle) 2022;
01 Oct 2026, 1st Lockyer RC Barrier Reef Pools Maiden P. 1600m
Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $150000

Ocean Park : Hurry Curry (NZ)(Hurry by Savabeel) 2021;
26 Sep 2026, 1st MRC (Mornington) RM Ansett ClassicL2400m

Per Incanto : Eamonn's Memory (NZ)(In Memory Of by Darci Brahma) 2018;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Jerilderie DRC Jerilderie Cup 1400m

Per Incanto : Per Sempre (NZ)(Confidante by Conatus) 2019;
26 Sep 2026, 1st MRC (Mornington) Louvretec H. 1200m

Per Incanto : Jimmysstar (NZ)(Anniesstar by Zed) 2019;
27 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Manikato S.Gr.11200m

Proisir : Prochester (NZ)(Vanilla Chinchilla by Reliable Man) 2021;
27 Sep 2026, 1st SCTC Mend Building H. 1600m

Proisir : Hankee Alpha (NZ)(Queen of Navarre by Guillotine) 2021;
03 Oct 2026, 1st VRC TAB H. 1200m
Sold by Highline Thoroughbreds at National Yearling Sale for $35000

Redwood : St Lawrence (NZ)(Bacio del Vinto by Encosta de Lago) 2018;
03 Oct 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Murray Bridge Gold CupL1600m

Reliable Man : Miss Stalwart (NZ)(Avoid by Cullen) 2018;
02 Oct 2026, 1st Moruya JC Andy Quill Memorial H. 1650m

Reliable Man : Donatello (NZ)(Lady Painton by Tavistock) 2022;
01 Oct 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Elite Sand and Soil H. 1450m

Reliable Man : Bucko's Wish (NZ)(Onehundredcaves by Rock Of Gibraltar) 2023;
28 Sep 2026, 1st Tamworth JC Carlton United Brewery Maiden H. 1200m

Savabeel : Tsarine (NZ)(Champagne Tastes by Darci Brahma) 2021;
26 Sep 2026, 1st MRC (Mornington) Sportsbet H. 1200m

St Mark's Basilica : Saintly Dancer (NZ)(Thinkyoucandance by So You Think) 2023;
03 Oct 2026, 1st VRC Edward Manifold S.Gr.21600m

Super Seth : Puntin (NZ)(Stella Grace by Encosta de Lago) 2021;
27 Sep 2026, 1st Dubbo TC Dubbo Gold Cup 1600m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $60000

Sweynesse : Stormy Swey (NZ)(Singleraine by Not A Single Doubt) 2022;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Twin Hills RC Clonmell H. 800m

Sweynesse : Satness (NZ)(Satanya by Mossman) 2018;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Illawarra TC DM Plumbing Conditional H. 1600m

Tavistock : Villaden (NZ)(Romantic Time by Fastnet Rock) 2018;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Dawson JC Taroom Cup 1400m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $220000

Time Test : Atomic Time (NZ)(Kerre by Pour Moi) 2022;
30 Sep 2026, 1st Balaklava RC K Brereton Jewellers Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Leanach Lodge Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $220000

Wootton Bassett : Last Affair (NZ)(Il Affare by Dundeel) 2023;
03 Oct 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Cheer on the Newcastle Knights Maiden H. 1500m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $725000


HONG KONG
All Too Hard : Ka Ying Lightning (NZ)(Floating Heart by Encosta de Lago) 2022;
01 Oct 2026, 1st HKJC Hangzhou H. 1000m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Sold by KB Bloodstock at Ready to Run Sale for $200000

Ocean Park : Mine Train - Chiu Chow Golf (H.K.) (NZ)(Podravina by Bel Esprit) 2022;
27 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Tailorbird H. 1400m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000

Per Incanto : Aeroinvincible (NZ)(Miss Bondi by O'Reilly) 2020;
27 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Kestrel H. 1400m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $320000

Per Incanto : Dan Vegas - Wave Garden (H.K.) (NZ)(Miss Bluebell by Savabeel) 2020;
27 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Tropicbird H. 1200m

Spirit of Boom : Boombox - Causeway King (H.K.) (NZ)(Viaductress by Sharkbite) 2022;
27 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Swallow H. 1200m
Sold by Berkley Stud at National Yearling Sale for $50000


MALAYSIA
Ardrossan : Jazzclub - Fortune Tree (Mal.) (NZ)(Vanilla Essence by Pins) 2021;
27 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Selangor Gold CupL1600m

Charm Spirit : Commander Jones (NZ)(Zuma by Mastercraftsman) 2020;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1400m

Per Incanto : Naitanui - Action Banker's (Mal.) (NZ)(Bella Carolina by O'Reilly) 2021;
27 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 3 H. 1300m

Too Darn Hot : Duma (NZ)(Podravina by Bel Esprit) 2021;
27 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Horse City Trophy 1200m
Sold by Prima Park at Ready to Run Sale for $45000

Turn Me Loose : Outfit (Sing.) (NZ)(Designacat by One Cool Cat) 2018;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1150m

Turn Me Loose : Hana Man - Choice is Mine (Mal.) (NZ)(Te Hana by Falkirk) 2021;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 2/3 H. 1600m

Wrote : Gold Medal Rose (NZ)(Brookbars by Bullbars) 2021;
26 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 3 H. 1100m
Sold by Highview at National Yearling Sale for $30000

Zed : Zed or Alive (NZ)(Lets Have Some Fun by Encosta de Lago) 2020;
27 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1700m
Sold by KB Bloodstock at Ready to Run Sale for $80000