Eternal Warrior engineers 2025 Merson Cooper Stakes upset

Eternal Warrior delivered a major upset in front of Caulfield crowds on Saturday, launching his career with a brilliant victory in the $175,000 Listed Merson Cooper Stakes.

Ignored at $41, the Lloyd Kennewell-trained colt charged home under Zac Spain to deny Stretan Ruler ($16) in a thrilling finish to the 1000m dash.

By first-season sire Extreme Warrior, the youngster had run second in two lead-up trials, and with Lloyd Kennewell overseas in Tokyo, it was left to Gary Kennewell to oversee the campaign.

“He’s probably doing some shopping and watching the race, it’s fantastic,” Gary said.

“He gave a good kick and Zac just rode him a treat. He put him into the race and he finished off.”

The stable is now weighing up a tilt at the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic, with Eternal Warrior being an $80,000 purchase whose pedigree traces to the family of champion mare Alinghi.

Eternal Warrior was fractious before the jump and left the barriers poorly, but once he found his rhythm, he surged wide and swept past Stretan Ruler late to score by a half-head.

Alibaba, who started the $5.50 favourite after drifting, never saw daylight until it was too late yet still managed to close strongly into third, just over a length away.

Despite the raw performance, Spain was full of admiration for the colt’s competitive streak.

“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.”

The victory also extended a hot beginning for Extreme Warrior’s stud career, with two winners from only four runners.

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