Warwoven Dominates Golden Rose and Launches Group 1 Spring Assault

Rising colt Warwoven stamped himself as one of the most exciting three-year-olds in Australia with a devastating victory in Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill, producing a powerhouse performance that has him firmly on track for a shot at the 2026 Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne next month.

The Bjorn Baker-trained son of Sword Of State was heavily backed into $6 and justified that support in emphatic fashion, travelling sweetly under Rachel King before exploding clear in the straight to defeat St Gotthard ($3.70) by an impressive 3¼ lengths. Under Focus ($12) battled on gamely for third, another half-head away.

Stopping the clock in 1:20.93, Warwoven confirmed the promise he had shown in his earlier victories in the Run To The Rose and Pago Pago Stakes, taking his record to five wins from eight starts and his earnings beyond $1.1 million.

He became the first horse since Bivouac (2019) to complete the Run To The Rose – Golden Rose double.

Warwoven conquers the Run to the Rose for @BBakerRacing and @RachelK11!
Now bring on the Golden Rose! ? ?@aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/X3OdbiPTDr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 12, 2026

Golden Rose Hero Sets Sights on Caulfield Guineas

Baker was understandably thrilled with the dominant display and immediately identified the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) further south on October 10 as the colt’s next major target.

“This is very special,” Baker said after the win.

“I thought he paraded superbly. He’s so good looking, he’s so fast. I don’t even have to sell him, he sold himself.

“He’s a serious horse and we are looking at the Caulfield Guineas.”

Should Warwoven salute in Melbourne over the Caulfield mile, he would become the first horse since Ole Kirk in 2020 to complete the coveted Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas double, a feat achieved by only a select handful of elite three-year-olds.

The Golden Rose success prompted an immediate market reaction, with Ladbrokes slashing Warwoven’s 2026 Caulfield Guineas odds from $8 into $3, where he now shares favouritism with the Prelude winner Blind Raise in all-in betting.

Could a Cox Plate Bid Follow?

While the Caulfield Guineas appears the logical next step, Baker also floated the tantalising prospect of tackling older horses in the Group 1 $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) later this spring.

“Even the Cox Plate, team get on now, we’ll get overs,” he said.

“His mother (Needle And Thread) was very good at 2000 metres, he relaxed beautifully today, but one step at a time.”

The suggestion has already resonated with punters, with race sponsor Ladbrokes winding Warwoven’s futures quote dramatically from $51 into $12 for the weight-for-age championship.

If successful, he would attempt to emulate some of the greatest three-year-olds in Australian turf history by taking on seasoned weight-for-age performers in the country’s premier middle-distance race.

King Delivers in the Saddle

Winning jockey King, who earlier saluted on potential Melbourne Cup hopeful So You Are in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality, praised the colt’s professionalism and devastating turn of foot after producing a near-perfect ride.

“He was dominant. We know he’s very good, and it was very satisfying for him to go out there and do that today,” she said.

While admitting she was briefly concerned after settling closer to the inside than planned, King said the colt’s composure throughout the run gave her confidence.

“There was enough tempo on and enough pressure. He just put his head down and relaxed and was beautiful in the run,” she added.

“We know he’s got an awesome turn of foot, and I was desperate to get him up over this kind of distance and probably even further.

“He’s proven that he’s the real deal today.”

Rivals Enhanced Despite Defeat

Runner-up St Gotthard arguably emerged with equal praise from jockey James McDonald, who felt the colt lost valuable momentum after an incident approaching the turn.

“I thought he ran outstanding,” the master hoop said.

“He is just going to get better and better.

“For him to box on and run second like that was incredible. If I had the winner’s run I would have given the race a shake.”

Third-placed Under Focus also impressed, with rider Dylan Gibbons noting the colt remains very raw and has significant upside moving forward.

Group 1 Star on the Rise

Saturday’s Golden Rose triumph represented another significant milestone in Warwoven’s remarkable progression through the ranks after missing the Magic Millions earlier in the year.

“We were in the hurt locker about January 14 when he was scratched from the Magic Millions on the morning of the race,” Baker reflected.

“But you don’t panic when you’ve got great people around you.

“You can be here today winning a Group 1. He’s a stallion now and he’s a colt.”

With the Caulfield Guineas now looming as his next assignment and a possible Cox Plate campaign on the horizon, Warwoven’s spring is shaping as one of the most exciting stories in Australian racing. His dominant Golden Rose win announced him as a genuine Group 1 star, and the colt’s rapidly shortening futures quotes suggest punters are expecting there is still much more to come.

2026 Golden Rose Stakes Results