It might not have been a particularly popular result with the majority of punters, but Eternal Warrior got his career off to the perfect start with a blowout win in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield.
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained colt defied his $41 starting price to score a last-stride win over another outsider, Stretan Ruler ($16), in the 1000-metre event under the urgings of Zac Spain.
Eternal Warrior, a son of first-season sire Extreme Warrior, had finished second in a couple of trials in preparation for his debut and while the win came with his trainer half-a-world away in Tokyo for the Japan Cup, the stable was confident of a big showing.
“He’s probably doing some shopping and watching the race, it’s fantastic,” Kennewell’s father Gary, who is looking after the stable in Lloyd’s absence, said.
“He gave a good kick and Zac just rode him a treat. He put him into the race and he finished off.”
Kennewell Snr said consideration would most likely now be given to a trip to the Gold Coast for January 17’s $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Eternal Warrior, an $80,000 purchase out of the Adelaide sale whose dam Devout Hero is out of a sister to Alinghi.
Eternal Warrior was not on his best behaviour pre-race and was one of the last to begin from his wide gate but travelled into the race boldly out deep and sprinted strongly to wear down Stretan Ruler and score by a half-head.
Alibaba, the post-draw favourite who was easy on raceday and started $5.50, was held up for much of the straight and did a fine job to finish just 1-1/4 lengths back third.
Spain said while Eternal Warrior still has some kinks to iron out, there was plenty of merit to the performance.
“I liked his turn of foot today, I thought he trialled up really well, but you have to show that race day under race day pressure,” Spain said.
“I didn’t think I was going to get past Lachie (Neindorf, on Stretan Ruler), his horse was very brave, but the more I got stuck into my bloke, the more he picked up.”
Eternal Warrior’s win continued the blazing start to Extreme Warrior’s stud career with the Rosemont Stud stallion now boasting two winners from just four runners to the track.
