Connections were excited to see a fresh and enthusiastic Warmonger back at the trials at Geelong this morning as the Group 1 Queensland Derby winner readies up for the Autumn Carnival.
It was the gelding’s first public appearance since finishing 8th in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, which rounded out a short but competitive enough spring campaign. Warmonger went to the paddock a sound and happy horse but was afforded very little rest between his 3 and 4yo
seasons, therefore we always expected him to really benefit from some time off leading into the autumn.
Likely to have just the one trial in the lead up to his return, Warmonger took part in a genuinely run heat that included the Group 1-placed Feroce, building through his work to finish 3rd over 1200m.
Warmonger finished 3rd in Geelong trial.
Mick Dee was very complimentary of the work, saying “I was happy when I kept asking him to build, he kept coming and rounded off the heat really nice.” Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr added “The horse looks brilliant. He’s really grown and developed since last prep, which is exciting, and that was a nice trial from him.”
All being well, Warmonger looks set to take his place in the 1600m Group 3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield on February 8. Off just one trial, you’d expect him to take considerable improvement out of his first up outing.
Whilst Warmonger has a few different options for his second and third up assignments, the Price Kent stable has outlined a clear plan to target both the 2400m Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on March 29, and the 3200m Group 1 Sydney Cup at Randwick a fortnight later.
If we’re presented with true staying tests and some forgiving ground through the autumn, we expect to see Warmonger be competitive at the top level once again.