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McDonald, who had six wins last week at Randwick, had four on the day. He also won the Phar Lap Stakes with Sixties, the Magic Night with Pembrey and race two with Tazima.
Baker completes double comeback
Bjorn Baker believes there is not much between his two Golden Slipper contenders after Warwoven joined Paradoxium in the $5 million race next week with a commanding win in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m).
A long-time favourite for the Slipper, Warwoven went out to $9 and needed a Pago Pago win to qualify for the race after a close fourth in his Skyline Stakes return from a setback two weeks ago.
Rachel King took the Sword Of State colt to sit outside leader Star Of Jamaica from a wide gate on Saturday and he took over with 300m to go before beating Outspan by a length.
Paradoxium, carrying the same colours of Ridgmont Farm’s Mitch Cunningham, produced a similar performance a week ago in the Todman Stakes to earn his Slipper spot after a battle with illness.
King expected Warwoven to improve again.
Warwoven salutes in the Pago Pago Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
“He improved massively from the other day, but I still think there’s another 10 per cent there,” King said. “I think there’s more under the bonnet, and if he gets challenged, there’s more under the bonnet even today, so he’s very exciting.”
Baker was wary of the task ahead of Warwoven to back up next week, but he was happy and relieved with the result.
“It was good to see him back and win that way. I’m hoping [for improvement], you never quite know on the back-up, it’s always a bit of a tricky business, but he couldn’t have done much more today,” Baker said.
Warwoven was into $7 for the Slipper, behind only Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained filly Chayan and Paradoxium ($5).
“I’d say there’s probably not too much between them from what we’ve seen at home,” Baker said of his pair. “Paradoxium will have a good gallop on Tuesday, he actually galloped on Thursday and I was thrilled with him. He’s definitely improved.”
McDonald was questioned about his ride on favourite and third-placegetter Central Europe, which shifted in and made contact with High Alert early in the race, but he escaped with a reprimand.
McDonald qualified Tony Gollan-trained filly Pembrey for the Slipper a race earlier in the Magic Night Stakes.
Pembrey had to win to make the Slipper after finishing fifth in the Sweet Embrace Stakes two weeks earlier when stuck behind runners. McDonald this time took Pembrey to the front from a wide gate and she was strong late to beat Lumbini by a length and a half. She was $26 into $15 for the Slipper.
Connections Kia Ora look likely to pay a $150,000 late entry fee to get Pembrey into the race.
James MacDonald boots home Pembrey to win the Magic Night Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
“It was what we came down here for, to run her in a Slipper, so we’ll see how the week unfolds,” Gollan said.
“It was pretty inconclusive a couple of weeks ago and it was just good to see her rolling along today. She’s still floated a bit … but that last half-furlong when she changed on to her fresh leg, she was good through the line and she did everything we hoped she would.
“She looks as though she’s got enough left in her to go again in a week’s time.”
Closer To Free and Music Time have paid a late fee into the Slipper, while Big Sky and Eternal Warrior are out. The Ciaron Maher stable have indicated Tornado Valley will likely miss the race in favour of the Sires’ Produce. That scenario would leave Michael Freedman-trained Incognito as the last horse into the 16-strong field.
Vauban ageing like fine wine
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was looking to the Tancred Stakes, a Queensland winter campaign and another Melbourne Cup shot with Vauban after he won first-up for back-to-back Sky High Stakes (2000m).
Bott said a run in the Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 11 was unlikely after the Tancred in two weeks. Vauban’s last run before Saturday’s win was a sixth in the Melbourne Cup, his third attempt at the race.
“A Queensland prep is becoming quite good for these types of horses, a bit older and you just want to space his runs and campaign a bit,” Bott said. “Hoping to go to the Melbourne Cup again this year.”
Sixties later won the group 2 Phar Lap Stakes, giving trainer Chris Waller a ninth victory in the three-year-old race, and confirming his spot in the Doncaster Mile, where Rachel King will ride at 49kg.
Cristal Clear later won the group 2 Ajax Stakes to book a Doncaster start and give apprentice Braith Nock a stakes level victory.
Waller considers stars colliding
Trainer Chris Waller said a poor draw, not the presence of Sheza Alibi, will be a bigger factor in whether Autumn Glow runs in the Doncaster Mile.
Autumn Glow and stablemate Aeliana had exhibition gallops at Rosehill on Saturday ahead of their runs next week in the George Ryder and Ranvet Stakes respectively.
Speculation has grown about a clash between unbeaten Autumn Glow and Randwick Guineas winner Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster after co-trainer Peter Moody confirmed his filly would contest the race.
Waller said a decision on Autumn Glow’s next target, likely the Doncaster or 2000m Queen Elizabeth, would be made after the George Ryder.
Asked if Sheza Alibi’s presence would be a factor, Waller said: “Not really. My only concern about a Doncaster is if you get a bad draw, luck in running. If you draw 20, it’s very hard to give it the perfect ride.”
