Warren a Hero on home front

Mornington trainer Jason Warren was a winner on both fronts with Pop Hero at Geelong on Thursday.

Pop Hero scooped the prizemoney pool – Warren prepares the son of Swettenham Stud sire Kaphero for his wife Yasmin. “He was disappointing last time but stripped much fitter second-up,” Warren said. “He got the job done and Yassie is very happy.”

The Warrens have been on a roll with 7 winners in the last fortnight and stable star Bel Sprinter will be gunning for a Group 2 in the Challenge Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Pop Hero (3g Kaphero – Serendipity by Rory’s Jester) started a short-priced favourite at the Geelong meeting that was transferred from Werribee. He did some work to lead and then sprinted away when Craig Newitt hit the accelerator in the straight.

Swettenham sold him as a foal for $31,000 at the 2011 Inglis Great Southern Sale and he reappeared at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions making $60,000. Bred by Avenel based Eileen Plant, he’s a younger half-brother to three winners by Swettenham stallions. Their dam Serendipity has 2yo and yearling fillies by Kaphero and the mare foaled another filly by Swettenham sire Host in October.

Host (Chi) completed a Swettenham double at Geelong with Mighty Like in the TAB Hcp (1430m). Mighty Like (4g Host – Mighty Fine by Keltrice) is trained by Mick Price for owner-breeder Julie Nicholson. She also raced the dam with Price to wins at Sandown (2), Moonee Valley and Caulfield.