Bjorn Baker has added another string to his Magic Millions Classic bow with Warwoven posting a stylish debut win at Randwick to put himself on a path to the Gold Coast.
Starting at $3.40, the youngster settled midfield for Rachel King and unleashed a dashing turn of foot in the straight to score by 2-1/4 lengths over Norman’s Cay ($5.50) with Hardanger ($13) another short neck away third.
Odds-on favourite Shiki led but compounded to finish fourth, beaten 2-3/4 lengths.
Baker said he knew Warwoven had talent but was cautious he had only trialled once in the lead-up and had reservations over the 1000-metres of Saturday’s TAB Handicap (1000m), believing the colt would appreciate further.
“I thought it was a big ask,” Baker said.
“He only had the one trial, so I was questioning that, whether he was quite fit enough and whether the 1000-metres was going to be too sharp for him. So absolutely thrilled.”
Baker already has the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) top pick in Paradoxium ($3.50 fav), and Warwoven now shares the second line of betting at $6, along with Friday night’s The Debut winner Lumbini.
While the prizemoney from Saturday’s race will be sufficient to ensure Warwoven makes the Magic Millions Classic field, Baker may give him another run if he believes the colt needs it.
“I know going to 1100 and 1200 in the Magic Millions he is going to be better suited, so very exciting,” he said.
King was equally upbeat, revealing that she delayed a Japanese riding stint to ensure she would be in Australia to partner the colt at the Gold Coast.
“He’s one of the main reasons why I’m not going back to Japan until after the Magic Millions and then I’ll be back a month before the Golden Slipper too,” King said.
“The first time I sat on him, it was like riding an old five-year-old gelding around the track.
“He has been a beautiful horse the whole way through, but he’s been quite immature mentally, a bit on the dopey side at times.
“He’s got the kindest attitude, but he’s got that feeling of class about him as well.”
Jockey Tim Clark wasn’t panicking after Shiki’s unplaced effort and said the filly raced fresh at her first start since taking out the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in October.
“She was just a bit free through the middle stages, which she can be,” Clark said.
“She has got to harness that a little bit. With the run under her belt, hopefully that will settle her down.
“She will be alright. She will bounce back.”
