Pair celebrates jumping double
Honours on the opening day of the North Island jumping season were shared between trainer Harvey Wilson and jockey Will Gordon.
They combined at Te Rapa on Saturday to win the Porritt Sand Hurdle (2800m) with It’s A Wonder before they successfully teamed up with Justa Charlie to claim the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase (3900m).
Both horses are confirmed for a return to the Hamilton course for sterner tests in a fortnight’s time.
“It’s A Wonder has improved with each run, but he can be a difficult horse to ride as he can pull and I thought Will handled him perfectly today,” Wilson said. “He’ll definitely be back for the Waikato Hurdles. He was quite comfortable on the better ground, but any rain wouldn’t bother him unduly.”
It’s A Wonder sat off the speed before Gordon urged the seven-year-old into contention a fair way from home.
“The plan was to settle him early and then put the pressure on down the back straight and he stuck it out well,” he said.
A son of Istidaad, It’s A Wonder was in front at the final flight and he stayed on strongly for the second hurdle win of his career. Justa Charlie bided him time behind the leaders in the Browne Memorial and in a driving finish he got the better of Shamal to remain unbeaten in two appearances over the big fences.
“He’ll be back for the Waikato Steeples,” Wi8lson said. “He quite likes this sort of ground.”