Queensland Derby winner Warmonger to chase Sydney autumn carnival riches

A decision to abandon Warmonger’s spring campaign after only three runs could pay dividends when the Queensland Derby winner heads to Sydney for Group 1 autumn carnival targets.

Queensland Derby winner Warmonger’s autumn calendar has two important dates marked on it but neither appointment will be in Melbourne.

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr have their sights set on Sydney’s two rich staying contests, which could add $2m to Warmonger’s prizemoney tally should their plan come off.

“We’ve got a big circle around the Sydney Cup and the Tancred (Stakes),” Kent Jr said.

“He’ll have a Sydney-focused campaign and he’s not far off kicking off.”

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Kent Jr said there were few Melbourne autumn options for a stayer of Warmonger’s class, who thrives once he gets to 2400m or further.

“There’s only the Australian Cup in Victoria,” he said.

“We think he’s a top-line stayer so the 3200(m) of the Sydney Cup appeals to us and if it rains, he gets through it well.

“The Tancred over 2400m will certainly be a nice option too.”

G1 winner Warmonger had his first trial back for Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr this morning at Geelong 👀@MickPriceRacingpic.twitter.com/VAGFIkAs5j

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 29, 2025

Warmonger will spend most of his autumn at Price and Kent Jr’s Sydney stable at Rosehill but the staying talent continued the build-up to his return to racing with a trial at Geelong on Wednesday.

The four-year-old finished third in the 1200m hitout but Kent Jr said Warmonger pleased connections with his effort under jockey Michael Dee.

“We’re very pleased with him,” Kent Jr said.

“He had a healthy blow for about 10 minutes after his trial then recovered very quickly after that.”

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Price and Kent Jr aborted Warmonger’s spring campaign after only three starts, following the gelding’s midfield effort, beaten more than 12 lengths, in the Caulfield Cup last October.

Kent Jr said Warmonger might have felt the effects of his autumn and winter campaign in which he finished second in the South Australian Derby before his extraordinary 10-length win in the Queensland Derby last June.

“It’s never easy to fire into the spring as an immature four-year-old after a three-year-old winter campaign against your own age,” Kent Jr said.

Queensland Derby winner Warmonger is set for a Sydney campaign after a pleasing Geelong trial on Wednesday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

However, he said Warmonger’s condition in the early stage of his autumn preparation justified the duo’s decision to abandon Melbourne Cup plans with the New Zealand-bred galloper.

“Looking back, we’re especially glad we spelled him after the Caulfield Cup,” Kent Jr said.

“He’s come back enormous and we’re very very pleased with where he’s at.

“We were very sure about our decision at the time but seeing him at the trials, it made even more sense.

“He looks twice the horse he was and he’s in for a good campaign.”

Warmonger will be one the headline horses, along with the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares’ winner Miss Roumbini that will head to Price and Kent’s Sydney base.

Kent Jr said the stable was optimistic it could continue its strong Sydney form through the upcoming autumn carnival.

“We’ve got a Sydney stable that is flying on all cylinders and it will be full of some very nice horses over the coming months.”

Originally published as Queensland Derby winner Warmonger to chase Sydney autumn carnival riches