One of the Australia’s most talented juveniles, Warwoven (Sword Of State), won’t be racing for next month’s Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield and remains in doubt for the autumn juvenile riches in Sydney.
Trainer Bjorn Baker said on Tuesday that the colt had been sent for a short let-up after his sensational Magic Millions scratching earlier this month, but he was due to return to the stable at the end of the week with an eye to reviving his Golden Slipper prospects.
The son of Sword Of State was most impressive in his first two wins over the summer, but he did not get the chance to race as the odds-on favourite for the A$3 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast earlier this month after veterinary stewards ordered his withdrawal due to signs of lameness.
He had held the position as the third favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes on February 21 and was still marked on Tuesday as the co-favourite at $8 for the March 21 Golden Slipper Stakes.
“We’ll try to get him to the Slipper, but we’ll just take it one step at a time,” Baker said on Tuesday. “We thought he was OK to run (in the Magic Millions) and they (veterinary stewards) didn’t, so that’s the way it goes.”
“If we have any doubts with him, we’ll put him straight out.”
Baker said he was disappointed not to have had his first Blue Diamond Stakes contender this year, but said he expected his stable could still impact in Melbourne this autumn.
“Hopefully we will be down with Caballus in the Newmarket Handicap and we will also consider the (Black Caviar) Lightning Stakes with him,” Baker said.
“Pericles will definitely go to the Futurity first-up. He trialed really well this morning at Randwick and I think he’s in for a good prep.”
Baker said the last start Champions Mile runner-up was likely to stay on in Melbourne to tackle races like the G1 $2 million All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 7 and the G1 $2 million Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28.