Sword Of State colt Warwoven has gone back-to-back in two of Australia’s most prestigious three-year-old races, adding the A$3 million Gr.1 Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas (1600m) to his last-start success in the Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney.

The Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven was a stunning three-length winner of the Golden Rose on September 26, instantly commanding the attention of studs across Australia. On Saturday his profile soared even higher as he joined In Top Swing (2003), The Autumn Sun (2018) and Ole Kirk (2020) as the fourth horse to complete the Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas double.

The Caulfield Guineas was Warwoven’s first mission to Melbourne, making his first start left-handed and stepping up to 1600m for the first time. Among those standing in his way was the New Zealand-bred Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High), who had confirmed his place at the top of the pecking order among Melbourne’s three-year-olds with dominant victories in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) and Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).

After proving to be a handful on the way to the start, Warwoven settled into a smooth rhythm for regular rider Rachel King in fifth place.

Blind Raise set the pace and was still full of running coming into the home turn, but King angled Warwoven to the outside at the top of the straight and put the leader in the crosshairs.

Warwoven moved through his gears and drew alongside Blind Raise, who to his credit kept fighting and kept lifting. But in the end Warwoven had too much class, edging ahead to beat the gallant Ace High gelding by a length and three-quarters. The third-placed Call Me Coach (Dundeel) was more than three lengths behind the first pair.

“He leaves me speechless, this horse,” King said. “He’s unbelievable.

“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 the 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.

“I've certainly never sat on a horse like this, and he’s pretty unbelievable.”

Warwoven has won six of his nine starts and A$2.98 million in stakes.

“It is a bit emotional, actually,” said Baker’s stable representative Luke Hilton. “There was a bit more pressure today. There was more excitement in Sydney, but there was a fair bit of pressure with him today.

“The race probably didn’t pan out how we thought. Incredible ride by Rachel, who 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.

“Trent Busuttin’s horse (Blind Raise), he really fought hard, so it was a great win.

“Jim Clarke and the sales team have done a fantastic job. He’s by a first-season sire in Sword Of State, and they bought a beautiful colt.”

Warwoven is the clear headline act among the eight winners so far sired by Sword Of State, who commands a $50,000 service fee at Cambridge Stud.

Sword Of State was himself an elite juvenile, winning the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and earning New Zealand Champion Two-Year-Old honours.- NZ Racing Desk

Waitak the warrior wins Hastings Group One war

Just two weeks ago veteran warhorse Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) and progressive performer Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) went head to head in a thrilling finish to the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Hastings with the decision at the winning post that day favouring Waitak by a short half-head.

Race fans didn’t have to wait long for a resumption of hostilities between the pair as they headed back to Hastings to tackle the jewel of the Spring triple crown, the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) a fortnight later.

Those who were hoping for a similar battle on the weekend got just what they wished for as when all was said and done, Waitak had made it five career Group One victories by defeating a brave Tuxedo once again after a knock-em-down, drag-em-out finish to the contest.

This time the winning margin was a neat length, however not many watching the race would have thought Waitak could run past Tuxedo in the final 100m after where they were both positioned turning for home.

Tardily away for rider Craig Grylls, Waitak managed to secure a midfield run on the fence as Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) became the surprise pacemaker in the event from South Islander Shaking Stevens (NZ) (American Pharoah).

In the meantime, Opie Bosson had Tuxedo trucking along beautifully one off the fence and two lengths ahead of his main rival before Grylls extracted his mount off the rail and into a position where he could at least track into contention approaching the home turn.

Bosson took the initiative on Tuxedo and hunted him to the lead after straightening for the run home, whereas Waitak was forced to come the widest runner in the field to begin his chase after his rival as Tuxedo burst to a clear lead.

Grylls wound up the champ and with three or four enormous bounds he claimed Tuxedo at the 50m and forged away as outsider Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) powered home to take third.

Grylls had picked up the other feature on the day aboard War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in the Gr.3 Timberspan Spring Sprint (1400m) and admitted the ride aboard Waitak wasn’t that pretty.

“It wasn’t the prettiest way of doing it and we got further back than I anticipated,” Grylls said.

“They were bunched up and across the top there was a bit of scrimmaging going on, so I thought I’d be better keeping him out in the open and rolling.

“I saw Tuxedo put a gap on us but at the 250m I was confident he was going to pick him up.”

Co-trainer Andrew Scott, who prepares the son of Proisir in partnership with Lance O’Sullivan, summed up the stable’s thoughts on the horse in one short sentence.

“He is our champion,” he said.

“We have spoken about him so much that there is not much left to say.

“Craig gave him a beautiful ride and Lance had called before the race to give the advice that it is cool heads that prevail in this type of race.

“Craig believed in the horse and he was so strong, just a warhorse.

“We were confident he would finish strong when you could see he was relaxed and that is when he finishes best.

“He stayed well and he has been so wonderful for us. This type of horse is just so hard to find, and we have a great team or good people around us to make this all happen.”

Bred by the late Colin Devine, and raced by his widow Jill, Waitak has now had 41 starts for ten wins, 11 placings and $2,343,237 in prize money. - Kevin Robertson

Satono Glow shines in Roman Consul triumph

Talented New Zealand-bred filly Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) continued her march towards the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with an impressive victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

The daughter of Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin produced a powerful finish under Zac Lloyd to claim the 1200m feature by a length and a half, taking her record to four wins from five starts.

Trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Satono Glow ($2.60) swept down the outside to run down race favourite Paradoxium (Extreme Choice), who had led the field into the straight, before drawing clear to defeat Steel Will (I Am Invincible) ($12) by a length and a half, with Why So Hard (All Too Hard) ($21) third and Paradoxium holding on for fourth.

The victory confirmed the filly's standing among Australia's leading three-year-old sprinters and saw her firm into $5 second favouritism for the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on October 31, behind market leader The Next Episode (Snitzel) ($3).

“She’s a very good filly. He’s a good colt (Paradoxium) so for her to run him down, it was a big effort,” O’Shea said.

“We wanted to see where we fit in, she’s ticked every box so far, and this race traditionally has always provided good form for the Coolmore.”

Satono Glow has already demonstrated her ability down the Flemington straight, having won the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) on debut in March before returning to the same course to claim the Gr.3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) last month.

Her only defeat came in the Gr.2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old, when she endured a luckless passage, and she could easily be unbeaten after five starts.

O’Shea said the decision to return to Sydney for the Roman Consul had worked out perfectly.

“We wanted to bring her home, keep her under our eye, and that was the rationale behind that. I thought she did a good job first-up and then she has had a little tick-over trial.

“It has all worked nicely so far so hopefully we can have a good next three weeks and turn up in Melbourne to give a good account of herself.”

Lloyd was full of praise for the professional filly, who showed an impressive turn of foot to reel in the leaders.

“She is pretty smart. As you see in the mounting yard and after the race, she’s so professional, knows her job. It is half the battle. The other half is ability and she has a lot of it,” Lloyd said.

“Obviously it is hard coming the widest around Rosehill and picking up pretty good horses like Paradoxium but once I brought her out, picked her up, she was coming pretty quick.”

Satono Glow was purchased for $260,000 by O’Shea Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock from Windsor Park Stud’s Book 1 draft at the 2025 NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

She is part of a successful initiative involving a syndicate of owners who purchase five fillies each season under Bester's guidance.

“We put together a syndicate of people to buy five fillies (each season) under the guidance of James Bester,” O’Shea said.

“No one knows more about fillies than James. He has bought Hips Don’t Lie (NZ) (Stravinsky) among some other great fillies. He has helped us select this filly and a couple of others. They have done really well over the last couple of years and now they have got a really good one.”

Out of the Pins mare Electrode (NZ), Satono Glow is a half-sister to Group Two-placed Kitty Flash (NZ) (Ace High).

Electrode is a winning half-sister to Group Three winner So Wotif (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Listed winner Bonniegirl (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

Satono Glow's latest success provides another timely boost for her sire Satono Aladdin, who will be represented by 12 lots at the forthcoming NZB Ready To Run Sale at Karaka on November 18 and 19. - NZ Racing Desk

Proxima Dea makes history in Gloaming Stakes

Proxima Dea (Tarzino) became the first filly since Constant Flight in 1993, and just the third in the race’s history, to win the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday, producing a determined late rally to maintain her unbeaten record.

The daughter of Tarzino showed her staying prowess when lifting off the canvas under Zac Lloyd to claim her fourth victory from as many starts for trainer David Payne.

Sent out a $4 favourite, Proxima Dea appeared vulnerable in the closing stages but refused to surrender, outstaying her rivals in a tightly contested finish that saw just half a length separate the first five runners.

The performance suggested the filly will be even better suited as the distances increase, with the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) firmly in her sights.

“That’s her, she is so game and just keeps coming. She doesn’t know when to give up,” Payne said.

“She will even be better once you go further. She is nothing to look at. When you look at her everyone bags her, me included.

“The owner says ‘she is beautiful’ and I say ‘where, she is ugly’. But she has guts.”

Payne believes there is further improvement to come ahead of the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.

“She has had a bit of spell between runs and there is improvement to come for the Spring Champion.”

Lloyd was equally impressed by the filly's determination, particularly given the race was not run to suit her.

“She’s so narrow. She reminds me a lot of Zardozi (Kingman) in stature, but she just tries her hardest, and winners win. She knows how to win,” Lloyd said.

“That race today was not run to suit her at all. They went very steady, I got onto heels into the first bend. I wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked and I can do a better job in the Spring Champion or the Oaks, so for her to still win, she’s just so strong late.

“She is going to eat up 2000m and eventually an Oaks trip. Very exciting for her.”

Lloyd indicated he would likely remain in Sydney for the Spring Champion Stakes rather than travel to Flemington on Cox Plate Day.

“I think I’ll stay here,” he said.

The young rider also paid tribute to Payne, whose training ability was well known to his father, champion jockey Jeff Lloyd, from their days in South African racing, where Payne was a champion trainer.

“You never doubt him. My dad has told me all along, you never doubt what he does and you just follow along, so it’s a pleasure to ride for him.”

Proxima Dea is by Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin, making her a full sister to Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner Gypsy Goddess.

Her name means “Another Goddess” in Latin, a nod to her celebrated older sister, and she is providing another chapter in the breeding success of Transtasman Breeders Pty Ltd.

The filly was bred and is raced by Andy Giles, Hugh Docherty and Caroline Vincent, with Vincent’s partner Richard Kurland a driving force behind the operation.

The group purchased Invisible Coin before Gypsy Goddess emerged as a Group One star and subsequently returned the mare to Tarzino in the hope of producing another quality stayer. - NZ Racing Desk

War Princess strikes Hastings hat-trick

The superlatives were flowing once again at Hastings for amazing mare War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) as she sat three wide throughout the Gr.3 Timberspan Spring Sprint (1400m) before displaying her undoubted will to win as she defeated Matamata raider Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) and the late closing Amazing Son (NZ) (Belardo) in a thrilling finish to the Group Three contest.

The victory completed a winning treble to commence her Spring campaign, with all three wins coming at the Hastings track.

Trainers Peter and son Trent Didham presented the daughter of US Navy Flag in tip top condition once again and she raced right up to those looks in a contest where she was forced to sit wide for rider Craig Grylls before making her bid for glory with 600m to run.

Grylls tracked Affirmative Action into the race, and it was obvious at the 300m that the pair would fight out the finish, although at that stage the Pam Gerard-trained runner up looked to have the measure of War Princess.

Grylls got to work and she slowly gained the ascendency to draw away in the last few strides and defeat Affirmative Action, with Amazing Son rattling into third just a half-length away.

Peter Didham reaffirmed the post-race plan for his charge as he thanked his stable staff for their work with the mare.

“We had a plan to start with that we were going to give her three runs then turn her out and bring her back after Christmas as we think that is when she is at her best,” Didham said.

“She is not even four yet, still a week away, and so it was a tough effort up a class.

“When you saw her out the back today, she was ready to go and that’s due to our fantastic staff.

“Toni (Davies) rode her on Tuesday and said she galloped better than she had for the start before.

“She has won eight from 14 starts which is pretty amazing and she probably should have won another, so we are really proud of her.

“She will go out for two weeks now as there are some really nice fillies and mares’ races after Christmas, although plans do change in racing.”

Grylls was effusive in his praise for the mare and the performance she had put on.

“I couldn’t get in and was wide the whole way,” he said.

“I got some cover coming to the bend with the second horse (Affirmative Action) dragging me into it.

“I got up to it, but it kicked and she really had to find something.

“It was a tough performance, and she is a proper racehorse in the making.

“She did come off the bridle, but I knew I had more there as she is just so willing and wants to do it.”

Offered by Hanui Farm during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2024, War Princess was purchased by Exempt Bloodstock and Didham Racing bought for $77,500. - Kevin Robertson

Fraudster the real deal in Ashburton feature

Exciting three-year-old Fraudster (Profiteer) made full use of his significant early pace and a strong on-speed-track bias to give his rivals a view of nothing but his disappearing rump as he raced clear to claim his first victory at stakes level in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton.

The Kenny Rae-prepared son of Profiteer had won twice at his home base at Ruakaka before being sent south by Rae to continue a preparation aimed at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on 14 November.

His first-up run in the South Island saw him finish third over 1200m at Riccarton last month after having to sit wide throughout, however this time apprentice Jack Taplin took full advantage as he drove his mount to the front shortly after jumping well from a wide barrier (11).

Taplin took no prisoners as he dictated the pace to suit himself and when he asked Fraudster for his best rounding the home bend, he immediately put three lengths on the rest of the field and never looked like yielding as he beat home Cool As Bling (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) and On Piste (NZ) (Ace High) who both ran home bravely.

Rae’s daughter Krystal Williams was on hand to accept congratulations after the race with her father back home in Ruakaka.

“He went a huge race last time and I thought he would have to be thereabouts today,” Williams said.

“The idea was to actually sit behind the speed but once he got to the front, Jack rated him really well.”

Purchased by Rae for just $19,000 out of the Wentwood Grange Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2025, Fraudster is the first foal of Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) winner Danger Strykes (NZ) (Astern) and is from a family that includes Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) runner-up Virtuous Circle (NZ) (Almanzor).

He has now won three races from just seven starts and has shortened in the Fixed Odds market for the New Zealand 2000 Guineas to a quote of $21 behind the current favourite System Of Play (Ole Kirk) ($4). - Kevin Robertson

In’kantosstar continues winning rise at Caulfield

Progressive New Zealand-bred gelding In’kantosstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) continued to step out of his famous brother’s shadow with a smart victory in the Beverly Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The four-year-old full brother to four-time Group One winner Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) made

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Gritty Anthracite sets new class record at Rosehill

Anthracite (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) produced a brave front-running performance to win the Kia Ora Bloodlines To Headlines Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday, setting a new class record and strengthening trainer Joe Pride’s belief that bigger targets lie ahead. The New Zealand-bred six-year-old dictated throughout

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