Deserved Feature Win for War Eternal (NZ)

After multiple Group Two and Group Three placings and a fourth at Group One level, well-performed Karaka graduate War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) broke through for a well-deserved first black-type victory in the A$200,000 Listed Sky Racing Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday.

War Eternal was offered by his breeders Cambridge Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, where Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock bought him for $160,000. He has now had 38 starts for six wins, eight placings and $934,925 in stakes.

The Bjorn Baker-trained War Eternal has been a big-race performer since his three-year-old season in 2021-22, during which he finished second in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1600m), third in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and fourth in the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m).

There have been a few ups and downs since then, including time spent on the sidelines with injury, but War Eternal showed signs of a return to his very best with a last-start third in the Group Three Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) on May 2. Two weeks on, he finally got the black-type victory he was missing.

War Eternal was ridden by the Hong Kong-based Zac Purton and drew gate one among a competitive field of 13. Purton gave him a cosy run in fourth along the inside, then saved ground by sticking closer to the rail coming around the home turn.

He poked through on the inside in the straight, edging ahead of fellow Karaka graduate Kronenbourg (NZ) (Vadamos) and then holding out the late finish of Our Queen (Night Of Thunder) to win by just under a length.

“He’s been a remarkable horse for the stable,” Baker’s stable representative Jim Clarke said. “He’s been around for a long time now and he’s nudging A$1 million in prize-money.

“It’s a well-deserved first stakes win, because he’s hit the crossbar a few times now. He ran really well at Hawkesbury the other day and he enjoyed getting his toe in the ground here today.

“It never hurts when you book a jockey like Zac on board. I don’t think he’s ridden too many times for the stable before, but I’m sure Bjorn will get a great kick out of it.

“It’s a great group of owners, and Carl Holt has been a big supporter of the stable for some time now. The horse has come back from injuries, so I’m really pleased for the whole group to get this win here today.

“I don’t remember the last time Bjorn put a last-start winner in the paddock, so I’d say he’ll find another race for him.”

Vendor	Cambridge Stud
Purchaser	Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock (New South Wales)
Breeding	Pierro – Aleria
Sale	Lot 422, Karaka 2020 Book 1, $160,000
Breeder	B J Lindsay MNZM & Mrs J E A Lindsay
Owner	Bjorn Baker Racing, Mr A D Mathews, Mr B E Rissetto, Mr W J Kelly, Mr C E Holt, Mr G J Viney, Mr J A Caccamo, Mr J Gialantzis, Mr K R Ferrel, Mr M T Mathews, Mr P Gialantzis, Mr R J Coleman, Recount Racing, Mr R Bow