Danehill Stakes next test for Wazzenme
Wazzenme will chase feature race success in his home town after trainer Stuart Webb decided against a Golden Rose mission in Sydney.
Caulfield-based Webb admitted Saturday’s Golden Rose at Rosehill had been a consideration but he felt a couple of the Sydney horses looked too strong.
And Webb also said a trip north might have shortened the Caulfield Guineas aspirant’s Melbourne spring campaign as he has already had five starts since late June.
Wazzenme runs in Saturday’s Group Two Danehill Stakes at Flemington having finished third to Defcon and Highland Beat in the Group Three McNeil Stakes last start.
Webb is happy to keep Wazzenme at 1200m on Saturday with a distance progression planned for his next two starts with the trainer hoping he can get to the 1600 metres of the Caulfield Guineas.
“He got pushed wide last start and if we happened to get a bit of rain on Friday, that will be good for his chances,” Webb said.
“But he’s been good on top of the ground as well. He really hasn’t put in a bad run yet.”
Wazzenme finished 1-1/4 lengths from Defcon in the McNeil Stakes after the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt took an inside run.
Defcon is the $4 favourite for the Danehill Stakes with Godolphin colt Archives at $6.50 and New Zealander Saracino at $7.
Samara Dancer and Highland Beat are at $7.50 while Wazzenme is at $11.
“It’s another step up now,” Webb said.
“They’re some of the A-graders but he was good the other day and if he had the run of the winner, you’d probably nearly swap the result.
“He’ll go to the Guineas Prelude a fortnight after the Danehill and then the Guineas after that if he’s going well and if he looks like he’ll get a trip.
“He has got a speed physique, but he’s very clean-winded so I hope he does step out in trip.”