Warsaw sold to Hong Kong
Promising four-year-old Warsaw is making headlines as he embarks on a new chapter in his career.
Trained by Chris Gibbs at Ruakaka, this son of Vadamos has recently been sold and is set to continue his journey overseas.
Warsaw showcased his potential earlier this year by breaking his maiden at his third start under Gibbs’ guidance. Following this victory, he delivered an impressive third-place finish in the prestigious Group 2 Avondale Guineas over 2100m.
However, his path encountered some hurdles when he had an interrupted run in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby over 2400m, resulting in an unplaced effort.
Despite the setback, Warsaw bounced back in style with a resounding win over 1300 meters on his home track last month. This performance caught the attention of international buyers, and as a result, Warsaw has been sold and is now on the verge of entering quarantine for his journey to Hong Kong.
Gibbs expressed his optimism about Warsaw’s prospects in Hong Kong, believing that he has the potential to become a serious contender in the Hong Kong Derby, a prestigious 2000m race.
Warsaw’s journey in the racing world began when he was purchased for $25,000 from Lansdowne Park Stud’s 2021 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka. He boasts an impressive pedigree, being a half-brother to the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes winner, Rhythm To Spare. Their dam, Stanica, is a Zabeel mare with a successful racing history, including a runner-up finish in the Group 1 Avondale Cup over 2200 meters.
In addition to Warsaw’s exciting developments, another former stablemate, Cakebytheocean, is also attracting attention. Cakebytheocean is set to compete in the Mills Reef Wines Open Handicap over 2100 meters at Tauranga on Saturday.
While he’s nominated for the prestigious Livamol Classic (Group 1, 2040m), Gibbs emphasized that a strong performance on Saturday is crucial for consideration.
Cakebytheocean recently secured a victory over 2100m, his fourth win, on his home course. However, his last outing in the Kerikeri Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka saw him finish third due to a tightening for room in the straight.
Masa Hashizume will be retaining the mount for Cakebytheocean at Tauranga, while another stablemate and race rival, Chevron, will be partnered with Craig Grylls for the first time. Chevron has been knocking on the door of victory in recent outings but has encountered some misfortune.
Gibbs expressed hope that Grylls can guide Chevron to a trouble-free run, emphasizing the importance of staying out of trouble in the often unpredictable world of horse racing. Both Cakebytheocean and Chevron are also nominated for the New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m), highlighting their potential for future success on the racing circuit.