Warwoven weaves his way into Golden Rose contention
Quality Sword Of State colt Warwoven (Sword Of State) confirmed himself as a leading Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) contender with a determined victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill.
The Bjorn Baker-trained three-year-old showed the benefit of his first-up outing when ridden positively by Rachel King, settling outside leader Castillo King before producing a sharp turn of foot in the straight.
Warwoven ($8) hit the front before holding off favourite St Gotthard ($2.60) by a neck, with Under Focus another length and a quarter away in third.
The victory was Warwoven’s fourth from just seven starts and his second at stakes level, having won the Gr.3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during his juvenile campaign.
Baker’s Assistant Trainer Luke Hilton said the colt had continued to develop physically and had impressed the stable with his work leading into Saturday.
“He’s such a good colt. He’s come back bigger and stronger,” Hilton said.
“He’s got better and better this preparation and Bjorn looked after him first-up. He had a tricky gate, and he just let him run on, and that was the key to him today.
“He found a lovely spot, there was good speed in the race and when he landed just outside the lead I thought he was going to be really hard to beat.
“His work at home has been outstanding this week.”
The Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill is the immediate target, with Hilton confident Warwoven has the scope to stretch beyond sprint distances.
“We’ve always had an opinion he’s going to get seven furlongs and even get to a mile,” he said.
“But I don’t know, he was pretty electric today. The team will have a good think about it. The Golden Rose is always the first target and then we’ll go from there.”
King was particularly impressed by Warwoven’s ability to settle despite being asked to take up a more prominent position.
“He leaves you a bit speechless, his acceleration today was unbelievable,” King said.
“First-up we knew it wasn’t Grand Final day and he was always going to improve with the run.
“Today, he was straight on the bunny, relaxed beautifully, he was so mature for a young, relatively inexperienced colt.
“Even though I pushed the button early, he went to sleep, did everything right and showed a good turn of foot.”
King believes there is still more to come from Warwoven, who again found when challenged late.
“Every time he’s won, he puts his head in front, he’s a colt and thinks his job is done,” she said.
“He always feels like there is plenty more there and as soon as he can feel one, every time one has got close to him he has found again, so there is plenty in the tank.”
Asked about stepping up to 1400m, King was emphatic: “No problem!”
Warwoven is from the first crop of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State and is emerging as the young sire’s headline performer.
Sword Of State was himself an elite juvenile, winning the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and earning New Zealand Champion Two-Year-Old honours and the son of Snitzel is now making a positive impact at stud.
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 and Eight Carat Classic. The colt has now won four of his seven starts and A$548,850 in prizemoney. - NZ Racing Desk
Winner: Warwoven (AUS) 2023
Owners: Ridgmont, Kia Ora 2009, Mr S Gosling, Mrs J Gosling, GS Racing, Mr J P Stevens, Mr K R Ferrel, Mr K Salagic, Mrs A K Clarke
Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm)
Breeding: by Sword Of State (AUS) out of Needle And Thread (AUS) by Makfi (GB)
Breeder: Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd
Shockletz books Melbourne Cup berth with Archer triumph
New Zealand-bred mare Shockletz (NZ) (Shocking) secured her place in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with a decisive victory in the Gr.3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old relished the return to Flemington and the addition of blinkers, defeating Think Giant (Lope de Vega) by two and a quarter lengths, with stablemate Jennivamoose (NZ) (Vadamos) another length away in third.
The Archer Stakes carried a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup, giving Shockletz and her connections a guaranteed start in the race won by her sire Shocking in 2009.
Bred and raced by Eales Racing, headed by Laurence Eales, Shockletz carries the same colours made famous by Shocking (Street Cry) when he won the Melbourne Cup for trainer Mark Kavanagh.
Saturday's race was run at a strong tempo, with Chief Little Rock (Galileo) turning for home around 20 lengths clear before compounding. Several fancied runners struggled after chasing the strong speed, while Shockletz conserved energy before producing a sustained finish under Harry Coffey.
Maher said the decision to apply blinkers had been influenced by both her previous performance and some family history.
“It was mainly last start. I thought she was having a bit of a lend,” Maher said.
“I could see her prick her ears in the last 100 metres at Caulfield and Jennivamoose actually went past her. I was toying with whether I put winkers or blinkers, but as Lawrence said, Shocking won the Cup with blinkers on, so I thought we would go with them.
“Fortunately, they can dare to dream. The team has done a great job managing her. It has been a long-range plan to get her into the Cup.
“Back at Flemington, blinkers on, she’ll run two miles and they can dare to dream.”
Shockletz has been in work for an extended period.
“She profiles a little like High Emocean,” Maher said. “Lighter style mare that doesn’t take a lot of work, clean-winded and you just have to have them happy and well.
“The longer prep, not a lot of work, suits her.”
With her Melbourne Cup place secured, Maher can now prepare Shockletz specifically for the first Tuesday in November.
“Now that she’s in that race, that was planned and I can work back from there,” he said. “She won’t be over-raced, she will be on the fresher side.”
Coffey, who knows Shockletz well, was pleased to see the blinkers added for Saturday's assignment.
“I was really excited to see in the gear changes that the blinkers were going on,” Coffey said.
“I know her really well and I've been watching her thinking, ‘she needs a set of blinkers’, and when I was booked to ride her and the fields came out with the blinkers on I was pretty confident she'd do something like that.
“It's obviously a bit of a mini grand final, but she peaked on the day and she was brilliant.”
Coffey also recognised the significance of securing a Melbourne Cup runner for the Eales family.
“These colours have had a little bit of success in the Melbourne Cup, so the owners will be absolutely thrilled,” he said.
“She thrives at Flemington, she thrives in staying races, especially when there's pressure on and she’s in the right barn to be training the right way come the first Tuesday in November.”
By Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking out of the Red Ransom mare Zelt, Shockletz is a full-sister to Group Three-placed stayer Horrifying (NZ) (Shocking) , a seven-time winner.
Saturday's victory was her seventh from 18 starts and lifted her earnings to A$588,875. She has developed a strong record at Flemington, where her previous victories include the Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m). - NZ Racing Desk
Winner: Shockletz (NZ) 2021
Owners: Eales Racing Pty Ltd, Blur Racing Syndicate, Mr M S Patterson, Mr A J Sultana, Para-Dell Racing, Mr J A Reece, Ballcourt Dream, R B T Racing, Mr J C Jones, Lacy Willows Racing, Plodalong - Zelt, Bluey's Bella Racing
Trainer: Ciaron Maher (Cranbourne)
Breeding: by Shocking (AUS) out of Zelt (AUS) by Red Ransom (USA)
Breeder: Eales Racing Pty Ltd
Pondalowie pounces in Let’s Elope
New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Pondalowie (Deep Field) produced a stunning late burst to claim the Gr.2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Sent out a $51 outsider, the Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained mare was ridden patiently by Lachlan Neindorf and appeared to have little chance when still buried away approaching the 200m.
Once Neindorf found clear air, Pondalowie unleashed her customary turn of foot, charging through late to defeat Too Darn Discreet by a short half-head, with On Display another half-head away in third.
David Browne admitted he had all but conceded defeat when Pondalowie remained pocketed inside the final 200m.
“I thought, ‘we’re no hope there’,” Browne said.
“Early in the race, I thought we were a bit of a hope because the favourite got caught wide and deep and did enough work, but then we were pocketed so bad, I thought, ‘we’ll get home good when it gets out’.
“I wasn't expecting her to do that. She has promised it for a long time, but I can’t believe she's delivered.”
The victory was Pondalowie's first at stakes level, having previously finished runner-up in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, and took her record to four wins from 22 starts and A$394,275 in prizemoney.
Browne said allowing the daughter of Deep Field to settle and conserve her energy had been important.
“When she gets along on the speed and she runs along, she just doesn't breathe as good,” he said.
“When she's actually jammed behind like that and gets the first half right, she gets enough air to finish it off strong enough.
“She can gallop and sprint like a horse we’ve never had and today she showed it.”
The Browne’s purchased Pondalowie as a yearling at the Karaka Book 1 Sale for $150,000 from the draft of Prima Park. - NZ Racing Desk
Winner: Pondalowie (AUS) 2020
Owners: Sparta Racing, Frothy Fridays, Mr D L Collier, Mr K J Corby, Mr C W Kwok, Mr M R Pollard, Mr S J Penney, Mr K C Foley, Mrs M E Burns, Mr M R Roberts, Shark Park Syndicate, Mrs K M Foley, Ms S E Coglin, Ms M E Ellis, Mr G Devonport, Mr T J T Stewart
Trainer: Emma-Lee & David Browne (Pakenham)
Breeding: by Deep Field (AUS) out of Glorious Red (AUS) by Red Element (AUS)
Breeder: A R Bell Racing
Sales: 2022 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Prima Park $150000 P: Sparta Racing
Persian Wonder steps up in Ming Dynasty
Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) continued his progression towards the Sydney spring middle distance features with a strong victory in the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trained by David Payne and ridden by Ash Morgan, the New Zealand-bred son of Hello Youmzain relished a strongly-run race to defeat Stormy Marco by half a length, with Tenebaum close up in third.
Sent out a $19 chance, Persian Wonder was squeezed shortly after the start before settling back in the field as a genuine tempo was established.
Morgan was able to improve into the race behind Stormy Marco approaching the straight and, once into clear running, Persian Wonder finished strongly to claim the second victory of his 10-start career and his first at stakes level.
Payne was surprised by the gelding's price, having been encouraged by his recent performances and sectional times.
“If you look at his form, I don’t know why he started 17-1,” Payne said.
“The form people, I don’t think they’re doing their job properly because his sectionals were very good and all he needs is a good pace and he’s getting stronger.”
Persian Wonder had finished just over a length from Genesis Runner and Savagram at his previous appearance and Payne felt the drop in weight gave him a strong chance on Saturday.
“He’s been a bit unlucky. I think he is learning to race now. He has taken a while, but he dropped three kilos from his last start, and he only got beaten a length or so by Genesis Runner and Savagram.
“I thought, gee, he comes into the race with a big chance.”
Payne said Persian Wonder had always shown ability but was only now beginning to understand what was required of him.
“He’s just a big, dumb bugger. He’s very laidback. Nothing worries him,” he said.
“He’s not bred to get a trip, but everybody who rides him says he’ll stay, so we’ll go to the Gloaming now.”
The Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) will be contested at Rosehill on October 10 before the A$2million Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later at Randwick.
“We’ll go to the Gloaming and maybe the Spring Champion,” Payne said. “I hope he gets it, the 2000m of the Spring Champion Stakes. But we’ll see.”
Morgan has been a strong believer in Persian Wonder and had already mapped out a similar spring programme for the three-year-old following his previous start.
“He is a horse I really like but he is a little bit raw still,” Morgan said.
“I knew if I got a gap soon enough he was going to be strong late.
“He’s still learning but is a very nice horse. I got off him last start and said Ming Dynasty, Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes and I asked if I could stay on.”
By Cambridge Stud stallion Hello Youmzain, Persian Wonder is out of the Pivotal mare Steer By The Stars.
Saturday's victory advanced his record to two wins and three placings from 10 starts, with earnings of A$291,350. - NZ Racing Desk
Winner: Persian Wonder (NZ) 2023
Owners: Mr W M Shelton, Mrs S E Shelton, Mrs A R Klaak, Mr J S Drabyna, Mr A K Rezo, Mr A J Mitchell, Mrs S J Mitchell, Mr A P Gessell, Ms K Docherty, Mr S N Rezo
Trainer: David Payne (Rosehill)
Breeding: by Hello Youmzain (FR) out of Steer by the Stars (IRE) by Pivotal (GB)
Breeder: B J Lindsay MNZM & Mrs J E A Lindsay
Satono Glow shines in Cap D'Antibes
Promising New Zealand-bred filly Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) made an immediate impact on her return to racing with victory in the Gr.3 Cap D'Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained three-year-old headed into her spring campaign with a strong record, having won two of her three starts as a juvenile, including the Gr.3 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1200m) over the Flemington straight.
Her only defeat came when fourth in the Gr.2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) in her final two-year-old appearance after encountering trouble in running, and she quickly returned to winning form on Saturday.
Ridden by Jamie Melham, Satono Glow ($7) tracked the $3.10 favourite Over Excited (Zoustar) before producing a strong finish to prevail by a long neck, with stablemate Scintillation (I Am Invincible) another two and a quarter lengths away in third.
Charlton revealed Satono Glow had initially been considered for the Gr.2 Furious Stakes (1200m) in Sydney a week earlier before a minor setback delayed her return.
“She was a potential for the Furious Stakes last week and we just had to hold onto her for a bit longer,” Charlton said.
“But her work Tuesday was really pleasing and she obviously has a good record down the straight and when she drew where she did and found the back of the favourite, it gave her a chance.”
The performance has opened up the possibility of Satono Glow returning to Flemington for the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) later in the spring.
Charlton said the stable had not been committed to that path before Saturday's victory..
“She’s clearly effective fresh, so these are all things we can think about the next couple of days,” he said.
“We definitely didn't give it firm thought pre-race.”
Melham, who partnered Satono Glow to her Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes victory in March, was impressed by the physical development the filly had made during her break.
“She’s talented, this little filly. The first time I sat on her back in March she gave me a great feel and, obviously, her last start she was very unlucky, so I was very happy to take the reins over again,” she said.
“She always had talent, but she was quite fine and immature still. Today she feels like a furnished product.
“Obviously she’ll benefit from that run, her coat will tidy up and then her fitness will improve first-up, but I’m very happy to be back on her.”
Saturday's victory improved Satono Glow's record to three wins from four starts and A$315,200 in prizemoney.
By Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin, Satono Glow was a $260,000 purchase by O'Shea Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock from Windsor Park Stud's Book 1 draft at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka.
She is out of the Pins mare Electrode (NZ) and 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). - NZ Racing Desk
Winner: Satono Glow (NZ) 2023
Owners: Mr R J Miller, Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr P A Henry, Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia, Mr M D Sullivan, Mr D L MacTaggart, Bangaloe Stud, Aston Bloodstock, Mr D A Dickson, Dr P Chen, Not Dunn Racing, Mr R B Gold, Mr R A Pegum, Mrs R A Miller, Mr P G Miller
Trainer: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton (Randwick)
Breeding: by Satono Aladdin (JPN) out of Electrode by Pins (AUS)
Breeder: Dr P Chen
NZ Racing Desk
Kevin Robertson
Kevin Robertson
NZ Racing Desk
