Michael Kent Jnr is eagerly looking forward to next month’s South Australian Derby with Warmonger, after his close second placing behind Air Assault in the Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) last Saturday.
The Mick Price and Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old gelding took significant ground from Air Assault over the last 200m at Morphettville, but fell short by a short half head.
“Warmonger was second-up in the Port Adelaide Guineas and Air Assault, who is a smart horse, was fourth-up and he had a cushy lead,” Kent Jnr said.
“I think our horse is the one to take out of the race.”
Last spring, Warmonger won the TAB Trophy (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day at his third start, the race one that has been a stepping stone race for promising stayers over the years.
Kicking off Melbourne Cup Day with a winner as WARMONGER takes out the win in the Listed @tabcomau Trophy 🥇
— OTI Racing (@OTIRacing) November 7, 2023
The talented 3yo son of War Decree collects black-type at just his third career start for his connections, @MickPriceRacing and @LaneDamian
Congratulations to all! pic.twitter.com/oiy4nr66ds
Two years ago, Price and Kent Jnr combined to win the South Australia Derby with Jungle Magnate and their plan is for Warmonger to follow the same path.
“The Chairman’s Stakes will be Warmonger’s next start although the difference this year is it’s a week before the South Australia Derby, not the two weeks it was when Jungle Magnate won,” he said.
The above is an excerpt from Michael Manley’s Racing.com article and can be read in full here.
