A winner two starts back in the Group 2 VRC Linlithgow Stakes (1400m) Bennett Racing import Warnie IRE relished the drop back to 1400m for Saturday’s $1m Supernova at Pakenham and returned a windfall for both his owners and Ciaron Maher Racing.
With Warnie settling with the tailenders, the multiple stakes-winner Lim’s Kosciuszko took up the running with equal second favourite, and last year’s Supernova winner Here De Shock (NZ) tracking along in second and Joe Pride’s $12.7m earner and race favourite Private Eye getting a cosy run in third.
Still in second last position as the field rounded the home turn, Warnie had many, many lengths to make up but jockey Thomas Stockdale brought the gelding to the outside of the field to secure some clear running. With 200m to run, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Arkansaw Kid presented himself as a serious challenger, racing up to the tiring Lim’s Kosciuszko as Private Eye was coming along the fence to take the lead. With Warnie flashing home down the outside at a rate of knots, the son of former Swettenham Stud shuttler Highland Reel gathered in Private Eye to win the race in a tight half-head finish with a long neck back to Arkansaw Kid in third, recording consecutive placings in the race after his second last year.
Maher’s assistant National Trainer Jack Turnbull that Stockdale’s patient ride was similar to Mark Zahra’s when he won the Damien Oliver Stakes on him at Flemington.
Turnbull pointed out that he was surprised Warnie was second last in the race. “They went solid and Tom just took his time, similar to how Zahra rode him which is new for this horse who has been keen and hard going. Back in trip slightly, a lot of speed, it worked out really well,” Turnbull said. Turnbull said it was a great effort from the training team to prepare Warnie to come back in distance after his fifth in the 1600m Cranbourne Cup to win The Supernova over 1400m.
“He was good there, but we had to change things up and we were mindful of how deep we are in the campaign and having to come back to the seven (furlongs). Credit to the team. It’s very rewarding and it’s a huge day for the team.”
Warnie ($11) defeated Private Eye ($2.20 fav) by a half-head, with Bennett Racing “Iron Horse” Zou Sensation a close up 4th beaten only 0.8 Len.
Stockdale said. “It was just a great opportunity presented to me by Nathan Bennett and his ownership group and also Ciaron. What they’ve done for me over the last 12 months has been unreal.” “They’ve provided me with a ride in the Golden Slipper, a Group 3 winner, a ride in the Guineas at Flemington – what they’ve done for me, I’m forever grateful for.”
Warnie ran in the 1 Mil Slot race for slot holder Ciaron Maher Racing.
The win took his overall record to five wins and five placed performances from 19 starts, with over $1,060,123.
Previously a winner at Listed level in Ireland, Warnie IRE was purchased from the 2023 Tattersalls 2yo HIT Sale by Bennett Racing / Blandford Bdstk – 65000gns. Group 2-winning Warnie is the best of 14 stakes performers for Galileo’s seven-time Group 1 winner Highland Reel, a brilliant global flag bearer for Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering Ballydoyle stable in County Tipperary, Ireland. Warnie IRE winning dam Cumbfree is a daughter of English 2000 Guinea’s winner & successful sire Footstepinthesand and a ½ sister to French Listed winner On Call Now. Warnie’s 2nd dam is a ½ sister to Group 2 winning & Group 1 placed sire Hellvelyn.
Congratulations and what a great thrill for all Warnie owners to win the Mil Supernova and a big thankyou to Ciaron Maher and his Team for having the faith in his ability to win such a prestigious race.
