Saddling up a pair of unraced juveniles in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed MRC Magic Millions Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield, it was Lloyd Kennewell’s colt Eternal Warrior that took the prize at big odds, and in the process handed Rosemont Stud’s Extreme Warrior his first stakes winner.
Having come through two jumpout efforts where the juvenile had finished a pleasing second on both occasions, Eternal Warrior was allocated the outside barrier in the field of 13, settling wide in the run while his stablemate Forbidden Desire (Tassort) took up the running.
Four wide as the field entered the home straight Eternal Warrior still had quite a few lengths to make up as Forbidden Desire still had the lead as they reached the 200m mark.
With the leader starting to weaken, the Phillip Stokes trained Stretan Ruler, a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Stretan Angel, took the lead and looked as if she may give her sire Wild Ruler his first winner, and stakes winner.
Knuckling down strongly in the final 50m, Zac Spain got the best out of Eternal Warrior with the colt getting his head down on the line to record success.
Taking his earnings to $112,750 with his win, the $80,000 that Blueblood Thoroughbreds and Kennewell Racing parted ways with to secure him from the draft of The Chase at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale looks a good investment now.
Bred by China Horse Club, Eternal Warrior is the first runner, winner and stakes winner out of the No Nay Never mare Devout Hero, a half-sister to Fastnet Rock’s stakes performer Lady Sharapova.
From the family of Encosta de Lago’s Champion filly Alinghi, a four time Group 1 winner, Devout Hero foaled a filly by Russian Revolution last season before unfortunately missing to Extreme Choice, so there will be no foal this season.
With trainer Lloyd Kennwell currently in Japan, father Gary was on course for the post-race interview.
“He's probably doing some shopping and watching the race, it's fantastic,” said Kennewell
"He gave a good kick and Zac just rode him a treat. He put him into the race and he finished off."
With the possibility of heading to the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) in January at the Gold Coast, Kennewell suggested the Lloyd would map out a plan.
Although jockey Zac Spain felt that the colt would need to work on his manners, there was still plenty of positives to the win.
“I liked his turn of foot today, I thought he trialled up really well, but you have to show that race day under race day pressure,” Spain said.
"I didn't think I was going to get past Lachie (Neindorf, on Stretan Ruler), his horse was very brave, but the more I got stuck into my bloke, the more he picked up."
Becoming the first stakes winner and second individual winner from just four to the track from the first crop of Rosemont Stud’s Extreme Choice stallion, it has been a very promising start for the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes winner Extreme Warrior who is standing this season at a fee of $13,200 (inc. GST).
