Cranbourne Classic favourite Warmonger hungry for more

Trainer Michael Kent Jr is keen to take luck out of the equation for Warmonger in the Cranbourne Classic on Saturday.

Warmonger wins the Listed TAB Trophy at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Star jockey Damian Lane has a licence to be prominent on Warmonger in the Cranbourne Classic (2025m) as trainer Michael Kent Jr looks to take luck out of the equation.

Warmonger drops sharply in grade, having won an 1800m Listed race at Flemington on Cup Day, but 60kg and a wide barrier on a tight track loom as the only “question marks”.

“He’s got a capacity to race handy to the pace; we’ll have a chat to Damian after scratching time and work out tactics but I’d say he’d be in a prominent position,” Kent Jr said.

“Hopefully he can get across nicely and find a nice spot and show he’s the best horse in the race.”

Warmonger is a $1.95 favourite with TAB from Unquestionably ($5), Sentimental Flame ($6) and stablemate Hydrogen Power ($6).

The other six horses in the field are priced between $17 and $201.

“It’s certainly a nice race for him class-wise, I think he’s the best horse in the race but it’s a handicap and he’s got a fair weight impost for winning a stakes race,” Kent Jr said.

“A few things against him (barrier, weight and track) but all being equal if he has the right luck in running it looks a very nice race for him.”

Warmonger takes out Race 3 with a thrilling photo finish! 🏇🥇#CupWeekOn10#MelbCupCarnival#Racingpic.twitter.com/DCi6AXVkz2

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Warmonger has continued to thrive between runs.

He placed in a Seymour maiden on debut and then got on the board at Mornington.

The three-year-old, with derby ambitions next campaign, surged late to win at Flemington.

“You’re allowed to dream when you win a stakes race at your third start, that race at Flemington has been won by some smart horses – Vow And Declare won it and Russian Camelot ran second,” Kent Jr said.

“The progression he made between Mornington and Flemington was outstanding and he needed to, to make the leap to Listed grade but it wasn’t surprising, he really came on in the coat, his work improved, he went from being a woolly goat to dapples all over him and he put on weight during the preparation, it’s always a good sign.

Warmonger’s co-trainer Michael Kent Jr. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Racing Photos

“He’s carried on the same way since Flemington … we still think he’s on the up and up, he’s never been a flash track worker, he’s very workmanlike at home.

“He’s a real racehorse, he gets a bit of white line fever when you put him into the gates on race day and with the blinkers on.”

Kent Jr said stablemate Hydrogen Power mapped to get a soft run and fight out the finish.

“He’ll be in the first four (settling), he was tough last start over the mile,” Kent Jr said.

“I think he’ll really appreciate getting out to 2000m, we’ve always liked him, he’s been a bit inconsistent being a colt and I’m not sure if he’ll remain a colt forever, but he’s certainly in this race as a good each-way chance.”

Originally published as Cranbourne Classic favourite Warmonger hungry for more