Warwoven firms as Magic Millions favourite
Warwoven (Sword Of State) continued his seamless rise through the juvenile ranks at Eagle Farm on Saturday, reinforcing his position at the head of Magic Millions 2YO Classic markets with a polished victory in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1200 metres.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt was sent out the $1.65 favourite and duly made light work of his rivals, cruising clear from an off-pace ride by Rachel King to score by three and a half lengths over Lumbini (Russian Revolution) and Leaves Of Lorien (Cool Aza Beel), with King able to ease him down late.
The son of Cambridge Stud’s first-season sire Sword Of State (Snitzel) further entrenched himself as a leading contender for the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on January 17, for which he is now rated a $2.20 chance (from $3).
For Baker, the result was less about the margin and more about the colt’s composure as he builds toward the Gold Coast feature.
“It was more about having a hit out for two weeks’ time in the Magic Millions,” said Baker.
“The one thing he did today which I was very happy with was that he paraded beautifully and he was lovely and relaxed. If you didn’t like him pre-race, after his parade you would have had to.”
Already a winner on debut at Randwick over 1000 metres on December 20, Warwoven has quickly assumed the role of stable standard-bearer following the highly regarded Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m) winner Paradoxium’s (Extreme Choice) withdrawal from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic due to illness.
Baker, who has previously won the lucrative Gold Coast feature with Unencumbered (Testa Rossa) and O’ Ole (Ole Kirk), believes temperament is a key ingredient in navigating the pressures of the Magic Millions Carnival.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win the Magic Millions twice before and those horses have had great attitudes,” Baker added.
“He’s definitely got that and it carries you far in high pressure races at high pressure times of the year. We just have to try and hold him together for another two weeks.”
Rachel King, who has partnered Warwoven in both race-day victories as well as his first trial, was equally emphatic in her assessment of the colt.
“He’s just a superstar horse,” she said. “He’s been like that since day one – his first start he was the same when he executed perfectly.
“So far we haven’t found anything that bothers him and I don’t think anything will. He’s just got that good horse attitude and the class to go with it. He had to stand in the gates for a long time today which wasn’t good for him – not because he’s naughty or anything but he just goes to sleep.
“He’s so quiet. I had to get him to move his feet a touch before the gates opened. All these experiences are helping him and he’s getting better every start. Today he didn’t get out of second gear.”
Warwoven now boasts earnings of $143,500 and heads north with momentum firmly on his side.
A $380,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Kia Ora Stud draft, Warwoven runs in the colours of Ridgmont and a strong ownership group, with Kia Ora also retaining an interest. Bred by Kia Ora, he is the first foal out of Group 2 winner Needle And Thread (Makfi), who has since produced a colt and a filly by the farm’s leading second-season sire Farnan. That colt will be offered by Blue Gum Farm (as agent) as Lot 671 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale which begins its three-day run at Oaklands in Melbourne on March 1.
The result continued a strong start for Sword Of State, already the sire of Australian stakes winner Torture, with further depth among his first crop emerging on both sides of the Tasman as his filly State The Obvious also broke her maiden at her second career start at Te Aroha on Saturday.
The son of Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) stood the 2025 season at an increased fee of NZ$20,000 (plus GST).