Excitement is building at OTI as we look ahead to this Saturday, where we’ll see one Derby winner return and one Derby aspirant step out at Group level.
Warmonger, a dominant winner of the Group 1 Queensland Derby last year, is ready to resume an autumn campaign in the 1600m Group 3 JRA Plate at Caulfield on Saturday. With just the one trial under his belt, the now mature 4yo son of War Decree will undoubtedly take great improvement out of his first up assignment in a campaign that will be centred around some Sydney feature events.
Warmonger wins the G1 Queensland Derby in 2024
Chatting with Olivia Kold last week regarding the horse’s healthy spring spell (read here), Michael Kent Jnr said, “When you look at him now, I’m so glad we did what we did. He got to have a good five-week spell, he put on fantastic condition, he’s popped up in the wither, he’s really grown and matured.
We’re really happy with the way he’s going, his gallops at home have been very good, he’s in fantastic order.”
To view the full field and details of Saturday’s return run, click here.
Across the ditch, Golden Century, who is shaping up as a New Zealand Derby contender, will take the next step to Group 2 level in the Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa.
When quizzed by the Love Racing Team on Golden Century’s chances (read here), Tony Pike said “He’s a progressive staying three-year-old, his racing manners have obviously let him down from time to time, but he’s improving with each run. That (Gingernuts) was his biggest test to date, and he did very well, he’s improved again in his trackwork and I’m more than happy with him heading into Saturday. He’s got more improvement to come once he gets up to the mile and a half of the Derby, which he’s bred to do.”
Golden Century finished 2nd in Listed Gingernuts Salver in January 2025
Saturday looms as an important stepping stone for the son of Pierro, who is then likely to head to the Group 2 Avondale Guineas a fortnight later for another look around Ellerslie. To view the full field and details, click here.
We wish connections all the very best of luck this Saturday.