Warwoven to stamp Slipper credentials in Skyline

[Wandering Eyes]

Unbeaten two-year-old colt Warwoven (Sword of State) will be back at the races for the first time since the beginning of January when he lines up in the Gr.2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday for trainer Bjorn Baker.

An impressive winner of his first two starts, Warwoven was hot favourite for the Magic Millions 2YO (1200m) but was deemed unfit to start on raceday morning.

“Any athlete going to any sports competition, there is always a fine line between being 100 percent healthy but doing the work to get there,” Baker said.

“We were very comfortable with him running but the Racing Queensland vets and stewards weren’t and that is that grey area, that is that fine line.

“I’m happy to report that he couldn’t be moving any better at the moment and we’re thrilled with how he has done. It is character building this game. You have got to take the good with the bad and those are the rules. We look forward, not back.”

The son of promising Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State remains $6 favourite for the Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) on March 21 despite his absence from the track and he resumes on Saturday without a trial.

“He’s been kept up to the mark, he didn’t lose a lot of residual fitness,’’ Baker said.

“He was ready to go only about five or six weeks ago. He’s had a few good gallops and I’m happy with him.”

With rain forecast on Saturday at Randwick, Baker said he is hopeful Warwoven will get through any rain-affected conditions from barrier one.

“On his pedigree, he is a good chance to get through the track being out of a good Makfi mare,” Baker said.

“On the Tuesday before the Magic Millions, he actually galloped really well on a track with a fair bit of give.

“I suppose barrier one is the quickest way home, but whether that’s a positive or a negative, you don’t really know until raceday.

“There is a bit of pressure and a few nerves, but after his gallop on Tuesday and last week, I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’s a good sized laidback horse with a great attitude, and he has that natural speed, so he can probably put himself right there.

“If he does have to get out and they are fanning across, he will be able to do that too. I think with his speed ability, he should be able to create space and that will be key, on what could be a demanding track.”

Warwoven is likely to head straight to the Golden Slipper pending a good run on Saturday, with stablemate Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) having to win next week’s Gr.2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick to force his way in.

An impressive trial winner earlier in the week, Paradoxium is 75th in the order of entry for the Slipper.

“Warwoven is in the Slipper already, whereas Paradoxium won a Magic Millions race at Wyong and the prizemoney doesn’t count towards the Golden Slipper,” Baker said.

“He is going to have to win next week more than likely to make the Golden Slipper.

“They’re both very exciting and in terms of which one is better, I guess time will tell.

“My gut feeling is that Paradoxium will be better over the shorter trips and Warwoven possibly over a touch longer. The question is where is that line. Is it at 1200m, is it under or is it beyond. I’d love to see them in a Slipper against each other at 1200m.”

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