Baker's Golden Slipper team strengthened by Warwoven's Pago Pago win

Posted by RS NewsWire at 4:17am on March 14th
Baker's Golden Slipper team strengthened by Warwoven's Pago Pago win

A win in the Pago Pago Stakes has locked in Warwoven for one of the remaining berths in the Golden Slipper.

Following Warwoven's assured run to secure entry through the Pago Pago Stakes, Bjorn Baker is positioned with a pair of strong hopefuls for the Golden Slipper.

Baker, who already has the $5 co-favourite Paradoxium confirmed in the race, needed to get Warwoven qualified on Saturday, and the colt responded perfectly by capturing the prize.

Separate setbacks prevented both from contesting January's Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast, prompting Baker to temper expectations despite his delight at Warwoven's return to form post his debut loss.

"We're not counting our chickens until he's at the start line," Baker said.

"But it was great to see him do that. He's a promising horse. He had to do a bit of work early today, so hopefully he can peak next week.

"We've got to, first and foremost, see how he comes through, but two in the Slipper . . . very special."

Queensland Racing vets controversially scratched Warwoven from the Magic Millions citing lameness, while Paradoxium suffered from pneumonia that disrupted his schedule.

With a dominant display in the Todman Stakes last week, Paradoxium showed he was back to full fitness, and Baker believes the colts' prior misfortunes could pay dividends later.

"I'll tell you in about seven days and three hours," he said.

"It could well be. It's funny how things in this game, they have a funny way of working. You can be down and out, and it only takes one runner to get back on track."

Warwoven, at odds of $2.70, sat just behind the leader before powering home to win by one length from $41 chance Outspan, with favourite Central Europe ($2.20) third, a half-head adrift.

His time of 1:10.41 for the race was slightly faster than Pembrey's effort in that day's Magic Night Stakes over 1200m.

Rachel King, the victorious rider, praised the colt's progress from his fourth-placed return in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) and looks forward to his development for the forthcoming $5 million event.

"There's more under the bonnet, and I think if he gets challenged, there's even more under the bonnet than today," King said.

"He's very exciting."

The colt has shortened from $9 into $7 in Golden Slipper Golden Slipper (1200m) markets for Saturday, and Baker has locked in King for the ride.

Discover leading online bookmakers offering betting markets for the Golden Slipper.

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