Michael Kent Jnr has disclosed that the connections of Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Warmonger turned down a substantial offer from Hong Kong owners to purchase the gelding.
“There was one particularly good one, but it was a clear no,” Kent Jnr, who trains the gelding in partnership with Mick Price, told Racing.com.
“There’s a lot of owners in this horse, I’ve got a lot of friends in the horse. We went to Adelaide, got beat, Adelaide (again), we were disappointed and then everyone was there for the Queensland Derby and that feeling, it’s priceless.
“I think everyone realises that, and now we’re chasing the cups dream in the spring. He’s not for sale!”
The now four-year-old is set to begin his spring campaign in next month’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, before moving on to the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on October 5 and then the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) two weeks later.
“It’s a nice, progressive path,” Kent Jnr said.
“It gives him time between runs; a mile, 2000 metres, and a mile-and-a-half.
“From there on, we’ll just have a look at the horse, how he pulls up after the Caulfield Cup, before making any further plans regarding a Melbourne Cup.”
Horse racing news
