Warnie aiming to lock in a slot for The Supernova with victory at Caulfield Heath on Saturday

A win at Caulfield Heath on Saturday will likely secure Ciaron Maher import Warnie a start in The Supernova slot race next week.

Promising sprinter-miler Warnie will aim to boost $1m The Supernova ambitions on Saturday at Caulfield Heath.

Warnie, set to back-up into Southside Racing’s rich slot race next Saturday at Pakenham, is a $2.10 favourite with Ladbrokes to salute in the 1500m Benchmark 100.

Imported galloper Warnie, a Listed winner in Ireland and among a host of Bennett Racing contenders at Caulfield Heath on Saturday, won at Flemington three starts back.

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The lightly-raced four-year-old is primed to get back on the winner’s list, having placed third the past two starts.

“He’s come through his run well at weight-for-age level last start, he drops back to handicaps Saturday, he’s very well weighted with 55kg and I think he’ll give a good account,” syndicator and managing owner Nathan Bennett said.

“He was pretty unlucky at Flemington (two starts back) on Melbourne Cup Day, he nearly got through, I’d say if the gap opened he would’ve gone very close that day.

“Caulfield the other day he probably hit the front a bit too early I’d say and was a sitting duck.

“He ran super and toughed it right out, he’s certainly well in at this race.”

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Warnie, trained by Ciaron Maher, has attracted slot-holder interest for The Supernova.

“We’ll possibly back him up into that, he’s been spaced very well throughout the preparation, he hasn’t had to back-up or anything like that, three or four weeks between most runs,” Bennett said.

“The likely plan would be to go to that (The Supernova) next and then more than likely have a bit of a break and come back for the autumn races.”

Warnie (centre) has attracted interest for The Supernova slot race at Pakenham next Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos

The Brisbane winter carnival is “definitely an option” and would afford Warnie the opportunity to spell in Queensland before the Melbourne spring carnival.

Bennett Racing has interests in five runners at Caulfield including first-starter Zouclaire in the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) and her three-quarter brother Zou Sensation in the Benchmark 84 (1200m).

Stay Silent and Stay Humble will contest the Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Classic (1200m), with Night Endeavour is in the same race as Warnie.

Zouclaire is a $7.50 equal third favourite with Bombay Boom behind market leaders Bacash ($2.50) and Invincible Woman ($3.90).

“She’s done everything really well and trialled up nicely against Bacash,” Bennett said.

“She’s got a great head on her like her three-quarter brother Zou Sensation, a lot of the two-year-old races are won by who mentally handles it the best, she’s quite a smart horse.”

Zouclaire was bought for $110,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

“We thought she was the feminine version of him (Zou Sensation), we loved him as a type, he’s such a tough horse and she’s got that constitution as well,” Bennett said.

“She’s a beautiful type and got that lovely big length of stride just like him.”

Originally published as Warnie aiming to lock in a slot for The Supernova with victory at Caulfield Heath on Saturday