NZ gelding Mongolian Wolf kicks off Australian campaign in style
DARREN Weir-trained Monogolian Wolf has produced a powerful debut Australian performance in the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick on Saturday.
The New Zealand import had a terrific run in transit and booted clear at the vital moment, and despite being wayward in the latter stages of the race Brenton Avdulla straightened the three-year-old up to win and return $6 at WilliamHill.com.au.
Avdulla said he was “full of confidence” taking the ride on Mongolian Wolf given who was training the gelding.
“You are full of confidence when riding a Darren Weir-trained horse and I am very close with Australian Bloodstock, they have taken me all over the world,” Avdulla said.
“I hadn’t ridden a Sydney winner for a while and Luke (Murrell) gave me a few pointers as well as my manager and it is good to come back from suspension and ride a winner for loyal supporters.”
Veladero produced a sparkling run on the inside and just missed out to return $1.90 at Crownbet.com.au while Screamarr peaked on its run early but still plugged on well to deliver a $2.50 place dividend at WilliamHill.com.au.
Hugh Bowman said Veladero did not get the ideal trip to suit, but did not think the horse could have won irrespective.
“Got held up at a vital stage which didn’t suit him but take nothing away from the winner, it was too good today.” Bowman said.
Short-priced favourite Acatour never made an impression on the field, and after jockey Blake Shinn pulled a desperation move in bring the gun runner to the outside it made ground but never troubled the leaders.
Shinn said the race did not pan out the way he would have liked.
“Very disappointing,” Shinn said after the race.
“He copped a slight check at the jump and got a bit further back than I wanted, but he was beaten a long way from home and didn’t run on.”
The win was the first victory under new trainer Darren Weir, and in typical Weir fashion he deflected the adulation.
“I can’t take all the credit there, I’ve only had him for two weeks,” Weir said.
“Murray Baker had him before me so big thanks to Murray for the order that the horse came over to me in.”
The champion Victorian trainer believes the horse is on track for a Winter Carnival preparation in Brisbane.
“Luke (Murrell) and Jamie (Lovett) pick the right horses – they get it right more than they get it wrong and they’re getting the rewards. They put a lot of hard work into studying the form of horses and then trying to chase the right horses. When they get them it makes our job easier.
“They earmarked this horse three of four weeks ago, they said we we’re going to try to buy him and he’ll be a great Queensland Derby horse. The way he won today you’d have to say he’s on track for that.”