Caulfield Cup Warmonger’s Main Spring Target

Trainer Mick Price has outlined a three-race spring campaign for his impressive Queensland Derby victor, Warmonger, with the Caulfield Cup as the primary target. Following his dominant 10-length win in the Queensland Derby, Price expressed caution about aiming Warmonger directly at the Melbourne Cup, citing concerns over the grueling 3200m distance at this early stage of his career. "I’m uncertain if he’s sufficiently mature for the Melbourne Cup," Price told racing.com, emphasising the race's demands. He discussed the horse's long-term prospects with Terry Henderson of OTI, suggesting that the 3200m handicap might not be the best fit for Warmonger at this juncture. Nonetheless, Warmonger, currently priced at $18 for the Melbourne Cup by Sportsbet, remains an entry for the event. Price drew parallels to Vow And Declare's successful 2019 campaign, where the horse achieved notable 3YO results in Queensland before ultimately excelling in the Melbourne Cup. The next scheduled outing for Warmonger is likely to be the Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 14. "Following that, he'll have a three-week gap to the Turnbull Stakes and a two-week interval to the Caulfield Cup," Price explained. Warmonger is currently a $15 chance with bookmakers to claim victory in the Caulfield Cup.