Yulong Golden Rose (Group 1)

WARWOVEN produced an elite performance at Rosehill on Saturday to win the Group 1 Golden Rose over 1,400 metres for three-year-olds in one of Australia’s most important stallion making races.

The colt by Sword Of State, was able to take up a position on the rail, two behind the leader in the 12-horse field. With Rachel King up for trainer Bjorn Baker, King had to be patient and wait for the right gap as she negotiated the bend with Warwoven under a good hold.

With 300 metres to run, Tenenbaum drifted slightly, opening the gate for King who pounced, angling Warwoven out as the colt did the rest.

Powering up, the colt quickly put space on his rivals to charge away and win comprehensively by over three lengths. Second was the Snitzel colt St Gotthard ahead of the Too Darn Hot colt Under Focus.

Pressure

“He was dominant,” said Rachel King. “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. 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, who sold at A$380,000 from the Magic Millions was the most expensive first-crop yearling for Cambridge Stud’s Sword Of State, a New Zealand juvenile Group 1 winning son of Snitzel, has now won five from eight, earning over $1.16 to-date.

“I thought he paraded amazing, he’s just so good looking and so fast,” said Baker. “You know what, I don’t even have to sell him, he sells himself this horse. He’s a serious horse and now we are looking at the Caulfield Guineas, even the Cox Plate. His mother was very good at 2,000 metres, 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.”

Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (Group 1)

CAULFIELD played host to the Group 1 Manikato Stakes over 1,200 metres on Sunday, a day after Co Tyrone’s Conor McKenna won a second AFL Premiership with Brisbane at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In a field of 13, Jimmysstar settled second last as the race favourite Beiwacht led the field through the bend. With more in front of him than behind at the 200-metre mark, Jimmysstar took flight in the closing stages to sweep to the front and win by a length on the line.

The Per Incanto gelding defeated the Deep Field filly Extragalactic and the I Am Invincible mare Charm Stone who took third.

“When he lets rip, there’s no better horse. I’m just thrilled,” said trainer Ciaron Maher. “He’s such a little ripper of a horse. To have him out of form or not quite at his best is a hard pill to swallow but that was pretty special.”

Maher added that the likely path for Jimmysstar was a return to the A$20 million Everest (17th October) where he ran third last year to Ka Ying Rising.

Jenni shines in fantastic five

IN a day of highlights for Ciaron Maher and his team who had five winners on the nine-race card at Caulfield last Sunday, the most popular on-course result was that of Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes over 1,600 metres.

Sent out a A$1.85 favourite in a six-horse field, Declan Bates found the front on the nine-year-old Pride Of Dubai mare at the 1,200 metre mark.

Never more than four lengths in front, Bates rated Pride Of Jenni beautifully, so that when the challenges came, she had the answers. The margin narrowed in the straight but could only be whittled down to two lengths as the Alabama Express mare Treasurethe Moment took second ahead of the Exceed And Excel gelding Pounding.

Good as ever

“She’s just made of different stuff,” said Declan Bates. “We know it now. All the signs at home were that she’s as good as ever. I really came here full of confidence at how well she was going. Once again, Ciaron Maher producing her on the day. It was for me to just sit and steer and enjoy the ride.”

The win was Maher’s fourth of his five for the day. “It’s an amazing day,” said Maher. “Alice and my two daughters, they’d be watching on and I wish they were here. I could not be prouder of the team. We’ve got an amazing team.”

O’Brien has nine

in Melbourne Cup

FOLLOWING second acceptances on Tuesday, 71 horses remain in the Melbourne Cup with Ciaron Maher holding 14 of those entries.

Add the nine entries held by both Chris Waller and Joseph O’Brien and three trainers hold 45% of all entries. Current local markets have Defiantly an $8 favourite ahead of last year’s winner Half Yours at $9, but that could all be flipped on Saturday following the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, traditionally one of the strongest pointers to Spring success.

Led by Defiantly, Joseph O’Brien’s other entries are; Goodie Two Shoes, James J Braddock, Kizlyar, Omni Man, Small Fry, Sons And Lovers, Starford and Trustyourinstinct, with Omni Man, Kizlyar, Small Fry and Starford having already landed, being part of the first quarantine shipment that arrived last Sunday. Currently, Sons And Lovers, Defiantly, Goodie Two Shoes, Trustyourinstinct and James J Braddock are in the top 24.

New Zealand

Waitak wins

it by a whisker

Howden Insurance Mile (Group 1)

THE Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Waitak defended his 2025 victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile at Hastings in New Zealand.

Ridden by Craig Grylls, the seven-year-old Proisir gelding prevailed in a tight finish with the first 10 across the line separated by less than three lengths.

“He is an amazing racehorse and this is a great result for team Wexford (stables),” said Andrew Scott. “This horse is just so honest, a lovely, big and sound horse, who we are incredibly proud of. It’s also good for Craig as I think that is his 100th winner for us. We will certainly celebrate tonight with all thanks to Waitak.”

Winning by the barest of margins, a short half-head, Waitak defeated the Tivaci gelding Tuxedo and the Ace High mare She’s A Dealer.

With this, Waitak’s fourth Group 1 win, he has improved his record to nine wins and 11 placings from 40 starts, having won just over NZ$2.02 million. Scott said the next goal for Waitak will be the Group 1 Livamol Classic over Hastings’ 2,040 metres on 10th October.