Pierro Gelding War Eternal Cracks $600,000 in Prizemoney

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 13

Expat New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker was tossing up between a couple of different options for Kiwi bred Pierro gelding War Eternal this weekend, but he pulled the right rein and was rewarded with victory at Randwick on Saturday.

War Eternal gets the job done at Randwick - image Steve Hart

Baker had also entered War Eternal for Sunday’s $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1610m) at Grafton, which had the added bonus of being a qualifying race for the A$3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick in November, but went with the higher prizemoney of the $160,000 Benchmark 88 event over 1400m.

Sent out as a $2.50 favourite for jockey Jason Collett, War Eternal dropped back to third-last in a race that was run at a solid tempo. Collett angled War Eternal to the outside at the top of the straight and warmed him into his work. The five-year-old lengthened stride and reeled in the leaders, hitting the front inside the final 100m to win by three-quarters of a length.

Placed in multiple Group races at three, War Eternal has the overall record of four wins and six placings from 23 starts with prizemoney topping $600,000.

Advertisement

“It’s good to see him getting back into some of his better form,” stable representative Luke Hilton said.

“He did run fourth behind Converge (Frankel) and Anamoe (Street Boss) in a Randwick Guineas. We’re delighted to see him back winning races. He had a long time off, so big thanks to the owners for being so patient, and it’s great to see him back in the winners’ circle on a Saturday.

“Choosing between this race and Grafton was a hard one, and we had a good think about it all week. That Big Dance eligibility was a big carrot at Grafton, but it was double the prize-money to come here today, and I think that’s what swayed Bjorn in the end. It was a good win, and I’m sure we’ll have some other opportunities to qualify him for The Big Dance later on.”

Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay War Eternal was purchased by Baker out their 2020 Karaka Book 1 draft for $160,000.

War Eternal is the best of two winners from Fastnet Rock mare Aleria, a placed daughter of stakes-winner Impressive Eagle from the family of Group I winner Eagle Way.

Advertisment

Race Result - Kanebridge (Bm88) 1400m

Randwick Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:26.03
1
War Eternal
- 5g Pierro (AUS) x Aleria (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J R Collett 58.5
2
0.7
Tijuana
- 4g American Pharoah (USA) x Mexican Rose (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Zac Lloyd 57
3
2.4
Bojangles
- 3g Showtime (AUS) x Hetty Heights (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: J Ford 54.5
4
3.6
Excelladus
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Russeting (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: S Clipperton 60.5
5
3.9
Testator Silens
- 6g Star Witness (AUS) x So Detached (AUS) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: N Rawiller 58
6
7.7
Lady Of Luxury
- 6m Criterion (NZ) x Miss Beauty World (AUS) (God's Own (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 54.5
7
7.8
Vintage Kod
- 4g Kodiac (GB) x Engage (IRE) (Pour Moi (IRE))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: C Schofield 56
8
8.5
High Blue Sea
- 4g Merchant Navy (AUS) x Bodhi Blue (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
9
8.9
Russian Roni
- 4g Russian Revolution (AUS) x Cadet Roni (USA) (Colonel John (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Amy Mc Lucas 54
10
16.5
Substantial
- 6g Siyouni (FR) x Sentaril (GB) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: R Hutchings 58
More Reading...
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.