Start Wondering to stick to successful spring plan
THE pathway for Start Wondering’s upcoming campaign is not going to deviate too far from the successful season the horse experienced last time out.
The gelding was crowned New Zealand’s Champion Sprinter following his group one victories in last season’s Railway Stakes and the NRM Sprint. The seven-year-old was narrowly denied a clean sweep of the short course majors when runner-up in the Telegraph.
Start Wondering’s co-trainer Evan Rayner, who prepares the horse alongside his daughter J. J. from their Wanganui base, said those three prestige events would again be the focus of the upcoming campaign.
“He’s been back in work a bit over four weeks and he had his first quiet run up the straight last week. He looks great and we’re very happy with him.”
The winner of 10 of his 21 starts, Start Wondering opened its last preparation with victory in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint and the November event may again be his starting point.
“We had to go up to Te Rapa to find a suitable race and we’ll probably go up there this time,” Rayner said.
The stable is also looking forward to the spring returns of the promising gallopers Loch Ness and Regal Winks.
“We’re just waiting for the right race for Loch Ness,” Rayner said. “Regal Winks had a little setback when she knocked a leg in a gallop and it took a while to settle down, but she’s back in full work now.”
Loch Ness, a half-sister to barn mate Perfect Harmonee, won two of its three starts during the winter and Regal Winks has also suffered just one defeat in three appearances.