Warmonger’s quest for Melbourne Cup glory has been cut short, with the Queensland Derby winner sent to the paddock following his eighth-place finish in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.

OTI Racing director Terry Henderson confirmed on Sunday that the decision to end Warmonger’s spring campaign was made to avoid overextending the promising four-year-old. “He pulled up fine, but he’s had enough,” Henderson explained. “Continuing on to the Melbourne Cup 2024 would be asking too much of him.”

Henderson noted that the Caulfield Cup was always going to be a crucial test. “He’s been in training for a long time, and after a hard run like that, he’s telling us it’s time for a break,” he said. “He only had a three-week spell earlier in the year, and Mick (Price) mentioned you could tell he’s run his race for now.”

Despite running solid sectionals, Henderson said Warmonger’s Caulfield Cup effort was likely his peak performance for the season. “Two miles in just two weeks would have been too big an ask,” he added.

With Warmonger now heading for a well-earned rest, the focus will shift toward the autumn. “Sending him out now gives him extra time to prepare for races like the Tancred Stakes in Sydney,” Henderson said, hinting at a fresh start in the new season.

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