New Zealand's reigning champion sprinter Start Wondering (NZ) (Eighth Wonder {NZ}) returned to the winner's circle for the first time since victorious in the 2017 edition of the G1 Waikato Sprint. Tabbed the 4-1 second choice, the gelding defeated Packing Pins (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) by a head, with Brilliant Shine (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) third, 3 1/2 lengths behind.
In midpack one off the fence for the backstretch run as Brilliant Shine showed the way, the gelding was poised to pounce on the far turn. He ground past a determined Packing Pins, who had taken over for Brilliant Shine, in upper stretch, although that rival made a battle of it before Start Wondering narrowly prevailed. Favoured Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) broke slowly and was out wide when the real running began, finishing a close up sixth.
“Any Group 1 win is special, but we weren't expecting it today,” co-trainer Evan Rayner, who trains Start Wondering with his daughter JJ, told www.nzracing.co.nz. “It rained all the way up here and he's struck some terrible tracks this time around, but he handled it better than I thought at Auckland, so we decided to run.”
Runner-up in the Dec. 1 Listed Levin S. when resuming from his winter break, Start Wondering was fourth in the G1 Sistema Railway on New Year's Day. The gelding was unplaced in the G1 Telegraph S. last out on Jan. 20.
Added JJ Rayner, “It's amazing–when it rained we thought we didn't have a show. “It was a great ride by Johnathan.”
Pedigree Insights…
By G1 Sistema Railway S. victor Eighth Wonder, Start Wondering's first two dams are both winners, while his third dam is a half-sister Group 3 winner Assessed (NZ) (Alcimedes {GB}) and G1 Doncaster H. runner-up Joyita (NZ) (Alvaro {GB}). Roseanbar has an unraced 3-year-old full-sister to the winner,Wonder No More (NZ), and a yearling filly by Burgundy (NZ).
Saturday, Te Rapa , New Zealand
WAIKATO SPRINT-G1, NZ$200,000 (US$145,109/£104,944/€118,424), Waikato RC, 2-10, Open, WFA, 1400mT, 1:25.80, Slow.
1–START WONDERING, 59.0, g, 7, by Eighth Wonder
1st Dam: Roseanbar, by Al Akbar (Aus)
2nd Dam: Assesarose, by Conquistarose (USA)
3rd Dam: Assessable, by Wolverton (Ire)
O-Mrs J M & S B Gudsell; B-I G Hadfield (NZ); T-E & J
Rayner; J-J Parkes; NZ$125,000. Lifetime Record: Ch.
Sprinter-NZ, 25-11-5-1, A$671,108. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Packing Pins, 59.0, g, 7, Pins (Aus)–Splashing Out, by O'Reilly.
(NZ$160,000 Ylg 2012 NZB National Yearling Sale). O-Angel
Cruz; B-Waikato Stud 2001 Ltd (NZ); T-M A Da Cruz; J-S T
Collett; NZ$40,000.
3–Brilliant Shine, 59.0, g, 7, Guillotine–Brilliant Kiwi, by
Brilliance (USA). (NZ$8,000 Wlg 2011 NZB National Weanling,
Broodmare & Mixed Sale). O-Terror Syndicate; B-Mrs A A
Corcoran & Windsor Park Stud Ltd (NZ); T-P & D Williams; J-M
R Du Plessis; NZ$20,000.
Margins: HD, 3HF, 3/4. Odds: 4.10, 9.50, 28.00.
Also Ran: Ronchi, Elusive Treasure (AUS) , Kawi, Ja Ja Binks, Sacred Star (AUS) .
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. New Zealand Racing Video.
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