Blind Raise and Warwoven Draw Favourable Barriers for Caulfield Guineas

Trainers Trent Busuttin and Bjorn Baker prepare to clash in Saturday’s A$3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas as undefeated colts Blind Raise and Warwoven draw barriers two and six respectively for the 1600m feature at Caulfield.

Childhood friends and cross-Tasman training partners Trent Busuttin and Bjorn Baker find themselves holding the top two spots in the betting market for one of Australia’s premier three-year-old races. Busuttin prepares local hope Blind Raise, while Baker trains Sydney visitor Warwoven, who enters the race following a victory in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill.

Barrier Draws Set the Stage for Blind Raise and Warwoven

The barrier allocation on Tuesday morning pleased both camps as favourites Warwoven and Blind Raise secured barriers to suit in the 1600-metre Caulfield Guineas. Top Victorian gelding Blind Raise drew barrier two under jockey Blake Shinn, while Warwoven landed in barrier six with Rachel King in the saddle. A field of 11 runners will contest the classic.

Busuttin expressed satisfaction with his colt’s preparation after Blind Raise won both of his starts, including the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas Prelude. He worked up nicely this morning and barrier two is the perfect gate.

Blind Raise and Warwoven Draw Favourable Barriers for Caulfield Guineas — Photo: The Australian

“Everything has gone according to plan, touch wood. He has continued to improve and he will be close to his peak this Saturday. I don’t think we have actually had the horse at his peak. He has always had niggling little issues below the surface, which haven’t been dire, but he has never been spot on, so I think on Saturday we will see him at his absolute best.”
Trent Busuttin, Trainer

Warwoven stayed in Sydney for his final serious gallop on Tuesday morning before traveling south to Melbourne. Baker reported that the Golden Rose winner handled working left-handed without issue, while stable connections expressed complete confidence in his ability to handle the distance step-up.

Chris Waller Faces Difficult Barrier Draws for Quartet

While the two favourites secured favourable gates, Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller faced a difficult barrier draw for his quartet of runners. Tron Bolt drew widest of the 11 starters in gate 11, Diameter drew gate nine, and Central Europe landed in gate seven. Somethings Burnin’ fared best among the stable entries, drawing gate three.

Waller’s runners galloped at Caulfield on Tuesday morning to familiarise themselves with the race day tie-up stalls and mounting yard.

Waller explained that the horse proved too fresh in the Golden Rose and led at an excessive speed, requiring gear changes and energy conservation to make up the difference.

Extended Field and Carnival Context Across Melbourne and Sydney

The Caulfield Guineas forms part of a massive 10-race card on the opening day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival. Ciaron Maher saddles a trio of colts in the Guineas including Unit Five, Tornado Valley, and Seraphox, while the Freedmans are double-handed with Wolf Gap and Call Me Coach.

The broader metropolitan action also features the Group 1 Toorak Handicap alongside the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes and the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes. Meanwhile, Rosehill Gardens hosts a competing 10-race card in Sydney featuring the Group 2 Hill Stakes and the Group 2 Roman Consul as the spring racing calendar swings toward its major Cups.