King and Warwoven dominate Caulfield Guineas

Warwoven has further pressed his credentials as Australia's leading colt with a superb victory in the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.

The Bjorn Baker-trained star validated his commanding Golden Rose win, overcoming the best 1600-metre three-year-olds Victoria had to offer in his Melbourne debut.

He now joins the elite company of Ole Kirk and The Autumn Sun, both prominent stallions commanding significant stud fees in the Hunter Valley, as horses to achieve the Golden Rose/Guineas double since the former's Group 1 status in 2009.

Whereas he was the $6.50 third favourite in the Golden Rose, Warwoven started the Guineas at $2.40. Bjorn Baker's racing manager, Luke Hilton, who attended the race at Caulfield while Baker was in Sydney, conveyed the sense of relief associated with this latest triumph.

"It is a bit emotional, actually, there was a bit more pressure today," Hilton said. "There was more excitement in Sydney, but there was a fair bit of pressure with him today. Bjorn has said for a long time that he could be one of those special horses that don't come around too often. He's proving him right so far."

Warwoven, a first-crop son of New Zealand stallion Sword Of State, was expertly guided by Rachel King, Hilton's wife, securing their maiden Caulfield Guineas wins.

King initiated the race positively but allowed Warwoven to settle in a midfield position, one off the fence, after encountering unexpected early pressure, before launching her move approximately 500 metres from the finish.

Blind Raise ($3.10) attempted to make a race of it after kicking clear early in the straight, but Warwoven drew level at the 100-metre mark and surged to a 1-3/4 length victory. Call Me Coach ($15) finished third, a further 3-1/4 lengths adrift.

"He leaves me speechless, this horse – he's unbelievable," King commented. "There were a few question marks today; we didn't know how he'd handle going this way around and Caulfield's not an easy track to come to first time Melbourne way. But he's just got so much class and he was still arrogant again. I know a lot of people said, 'how can he peak again?', but I don't think he has peaked. I think there's still more there."

Warwoven remains entered for the $6 million Cox Plate (2040m), a race Baker had identified as a target for the colt provided he passed his Guineas test. He is now the $5 third favourite for the October 24 feature.

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