Warwoven has struck another significant blow for our young stallion Sword Of State across the Tasman by booking his place in the A$5 million G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.

The Bjorn Baker-trained colt comfortably accounted for his rivals in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill to force his way into the line-up for the richest two-year-old event in the world.

Warwoven jumped well to settle close to the action and was untroubled to dispatch his rivals in the run home for the third win of his four-start career.

“It was great to see him do that, he’s a promising horse. He had to do a bit of work, so hopefully he can peak next week,” Baker said.

Regular rider Rachel King was delighted to guide Warwoven to a Slipper berth.

“He’s qualified now, and so he should be. We would have been devastated if he wasn’t there, because he’s proven he deserves his spot,” she said.

“He’s still got improvement to come, he’s still very casual. He’s got a fantastic attitude, nothing worries him.”

Warwoven colt was sourced by Baker’s bloodstock agent Jim Clarke at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was offered by breeder Kia Ora Stud and sold for A$380,000.

He is the first foal of the Makfi mare Needle And Thread, who won the G2 Royal Stakes and placed at Group 2 level in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and Eight Carat Classic and G3 Sunline Vase.

Warwoven is Sword Of State’s second Australian black type winner from his first crop with Torture claiming the Listed Debutant Stakes and also finished third in the Karaka Millions 2YO Classic.

At home, State The Obvious has been a winner in our colours while we also race the homebred State Of Valour who finished a last-start third in the G1 Sistema Stakes.

Sword Of State also headlined New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2026 National Yearling Sale at Karaka where his son, a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Ceolfwulf, was bought out of our draft for $1.1 million.

‍

Our outstanding short course performer Joliestar kept the Royal Ascot dream alive with further top-flight success at Randwick.

The daughter of Zoustar added the G1 Canterbury Stakes to her record to maintain winning momentum toward an international campaign.

“We know the date she's leaving and everything like that so that's how far we've gone into the program,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“Every race you've got to come back safe and do the little things right and keep her good form.

“She’s a great mare and come back much stronger. She’s been unlucky in some of the big ones, but this was her day and she’ll got to the TJ Smith Stakes (G1, 1200m) next.”

Joliestar is now unbeaten this preparation after landing the G2 Expressway Stakes last time out and defeating subsequent G1 Lightning Handicap winner Caballus.

As usual, the five-year-old was given a perfect run in the one-one by James McDonald and the mare lengthened stride when asked to put the issue beyond doubt.

It was her fourth victory at Group 1 level following previous successes in the Newmarket Handicap, Kingsford Smith Cup and the Thousand Guineas at the highest level.

“It was pretty special and all credit to Chris and his team,” McDonald said. "They are always turned out immaculately, they are here to win and as long as we get a little bit of luck throughout the race they do the job."

Joliestar was bred by Chris Barham and we purchased her for A$950,000 out of Segenhoe Stud’s draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

We also bought her half-sister by Anamoe for A$470,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

They are out of the Fastnet Rock mare Jolie Bay, who won the G2 Roman Consul Stakes and finished runner-up in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, and is a sister to the Australian and international Group 1 winner and stallion Merchant Navy.

‍

First Five completed a glorious elite level double with a stunning victory on his home track at Te Rapa.

Almanzor’s latest star performer had triumphed in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham last month and he doubled up with an effortless victory in the G1 BCD Group Sprint.

“Wow, what a win. He just dominated them, he’s brained a really good field,” trainer David Greene said.

“His work on Tuesday was unreal, and he just keeps getting better and better.”

The winner of eight of his 20 starts, First Five will now bid to complete a Group 1 treble next time out in the Otaki Maori WFA Classic at Ellerslie.

The five-year-old was given a perfect run at Te Rapa behind the pace by Wiremu Pinn, who angled into the clear at the top of the straight and then asserted his superiority to score by 1.8l.

“He’s an absolute machine and he just played with them,” Pinn said.

“He knocked off when he hit the front, he’s very special.”

Bred by part-owner Gerald Shand, First Five is a brother to Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic runner-up Rambling On with their dam the Volksraad mare Payette.

‍