Bjorn Baker came to Rosehill convinced Warwoven was better than his price. He left with a Group 1 winner and a stallion valued at $30 million.
The Run To The Rose winner will step beyond 1200 metres for the first time when he meets Golden Slipper champion Guest House and a powerful Chris Waller contingent in Saturday’s $1 million feature.
The Sword Of State colt won Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) by 3¼ lengths. He beat St Gotthard ($3.70), with Under Focus ($12) a half-head away third.
Golden Slipper winner Guest House, the $2.45 favourite, finished sixth.
A Dominant Win on a Good 4
Warwoven ($6) jumped from barrier one under Rachel King. He settled handy, was angled into clear running around the 300m and put the race away in a few strides.
He ran 1:20.93 on a Good 4 track.
It was his fifth win from eight starts and took his earnings past $1.1 million, races.com.au reported. He is the first horse since Bivouac in 2019 to complete the Run To The Rose–Golden Rose double.
It was also the first Group 1 winner for his first-season sire, Sword Of State.
Baker Backed His Judgement, Not the Tote
In the lead-up, Baker called Warwoven’s Tuesday gallop “the best we’ve seen from him”, as we covered in our Golden Rose preview.
After the race, AAP reported, Baker said he had avoided looking at the odds or backing the colt because there was too much riding on it.
“He’s a serious horse and we are looking at the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), even the Cox Plate (2040m),” Baker said. He added that punters should “get on now” before the price went.
Where to Next: Guineas, Cox Plate or Everest?
Baker named the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday, October 10 as the main target.
If Warwoven wins, he would be the first horse since Ole Kirk in 2020 to complete the Golden Rose–Caulfield Guineas double.
The Cox Plate, at Flemington this year on October 24, is the bigger dream. Baker pointed to Warwoven’s dam, Needle And Thread, who was effective at 2000m. But he stressed it was “one step at a time”.
Away from the cameras, Baker did not completely rule out The Everest (1200m) on October 17. “I would say The Everest is doubtful but we will see what happens,” he said, as quoted by AAP.
No final decision beyond the Guineas had been announced when this story was written.
How the Market Moved
Bookmakers reacted straight away.
Ladbrokes cut Warwoven from $8 to $3 for the Caulfield Guineas, where he shares favouritism with Prelude winner Blind Raise, races.com.au reported.
His Cox Plate quote came in from $51 to $12.
From the ‘Hurt Locker’ to Group 1 Glory
It has not been a smooth year for the colt.
Baker recalled being “in the hurt locker” in mid-January, when Warwoven was scratched from the Magic Millions on race morning.
According to ANZ Bloodstock News, the Kia Ora-bred colt was bought for $380,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the first foal of Needle And Thread, winner of the Group 2 Royal Stakes over 2000m.
That staying influence on the dam’s side is why Baker is prepared to think about a mile and beyond.
King Delivers Under Pressure
King said Warwoven relaxed beautifully and had enough tempo in front of him.
She joked that her husband, Luke Hilton, Baker’s racing manager, had given her one instruction: whatever she did, not to end up three back on the fence.
“He’s proven that he’s the real deal today,” King said.
Baker said King had “ice in her veins”.
It capped a big day for the pair. King also won the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) on So You Are, and Baker completed a stakes treble when Blue Door won the Group 3 Heritage Stakes.
What Went Wrong for the Beaten Brigade
St Gotthard
James McDonald chose St Gotthard over Guest House and explained why in his pre-race call. He rated the colt’s second as “outstanding”.
McDonald said St Gotthard over-raced and lost momentum in a bump near the 800m. He added that he would have given the winner a shake with Warwoven’s run.
Racing NSW stewards reprimanded McDonald over the incident.
Guest House
Zac Lloyd said Guest House got keen on Warwoven’s heels when the pace eased, and the bump with St Gotthard took the “gas” out of him.
Before the race, Lloyd had backed Guest House to make history. The run leaves his spring plans, including a possible Everest slot through part-owner Coolmore, unresolved.
Under Focus
Dylan Gibbons said the Kris Lees-trained Under Focus was still raw but travelled well at the top of the straight and was gallant in defeat.
Golden Rose 2026: Placings
| Pos | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwoven | Rachel King | Bjorn Baker | $6 |
| 2 | St Gotthard | James McDonald | Chris Waller | $3.70 |
| 3 | Under Focus | Dylan Gibbons | Kris Lees | $12 |
| 4 | Tenenbaum | Chad Schofield | Brad Widdup | – |
| 5 | Tron Bolt | Damian Lane | Chris Waller | – |
| 6 | Guest House | Zac Lloyd | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | $2.45 |
Our View
This was the most commanding performance by a three-year-old so far this spring. It came over a distance many doubted he could handle.
At $3, the Guineas price has already gone. The Cox Plate question is a real one, but it depends on how he comes through the Caulfield mile.
Use our free racing form guide as the Melbourne Group 1s come around.
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