Baker’s three-year-olds land two-state stakes double
Warwoven strengthened his Golden Rose claims at Rosehill while Paradoxium made a successful return down the Flemington straight, giving Bjorn Baker two spring contenders on separate paths.
Bjorn Baker’s three-year-olds delivered a two-state stakes double on Saturday, with Warwoven winning the $300,000 Group 2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill and Paradoxium taking the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes at Flemington.
Warwoven produced a decisive acceleration under Rachel King to beat $2.60 favourite St Gotthard by a neck over 1200 metres. Under Focus finished another 1¼ lengths away in third.
The $8 winner settled outside leader Castillo King after King rode forward from a difficult barrier. He completed the race in 1:09.49, running his final 600 metres in 33.58 seconds.
“He leaves you a bit speechless, his acceleration today was unbelievable,” King said.
“He always feels like there is plenty more there and as soon as he can feel one, every time one has got close to him he has found again, so there is plenty in the tank.”
The result gave Warwoven his fourth win from seven starts and lifted his earnings to $548,850. The son of Sword Of State had already won the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes over the same course and distance during his juvenile season.
Assistant trainer Luke Hilton said Warwoven was bigger and stronger on his return and continued to improve after a first-up run designed to bring him into the preparation.
“He found a lovely spot, there was good speed in the race and when he landed just outside the lead I thought he was going to be really hard to beat,” Hilton said.
The Group 1 Golden Rose over 1400 metres at Rosehill is the immediate target. King had no concern when asked whether Warwoven would handle the extra 200 metres, replying: “No problem!”
Baker’s Melbourne runner started off the feature double when Paradoxium defeated Mbube by one length in the 1100-metre Poseidon Stakes. Big Sky was another half-neck away in third.
Ridden by Jason Collett, the $3.50 chance stopped the clock at 1:02.99 while carrying 58.5 kilograms. The victory was his third from six starts and took his prize money to $444,200.
The Extreme Choice colt had already won the Group 2 Todman Stakes and Listed Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Baker said Paradoxium’s Flemington performance could lead to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, a race the trainer won with Ozzmosis in 2023.
“He reminded me a bit of Ozzmosis halfway through that run,” Baker said. “You dream, and you dream big.”
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