Wait A Sec will tackle G3 mile race before G1 Auckland Cup
The Barfoot and Thompson-sponsored staying feature is the seven-year-old’s autumn goal and, to that end, he will head to Trentham off a break to resume in the Group 3 Tui – Backing a Winner Anniversary Handicap (1600m) on January 13.
“We’re looking to kick him off in the Anniversary at set weights and penalties,” said Grant Cullen, who trains the gelding with Guy Lowry.
“We’ll take it from there and see how the tracks are, he can handle one or two on the firmer ground.”
Wait A Sec’s resurgence in the last couple of seasons has been attributed to a changed training regime with Cullen’s Dannevirke property playing a major role.
“We work him at home and around the farm, he’s just a very happy horse,” he said.
The upset winner at Gingernuts’ expense of the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in the spring, Wait A Sec was given his first look at Ellerslie last month. He finished eighth in the Group 3 OMF Stakes (2000m), but his Melbourne Cup day effort didn’t faze his trainers.
“There was a leader bias on the day and he got a long way back,” Cullen said.
“We weren’t disappointed at all. His sectionals were actually quicker than he ran in the Livamol.”
His take on the race was backed up by Wait A Sec’s regular rider Johnathan Parkes.
“He said Wait A Sec was doing his best work in the last 100m,” Cullen said. “He had trouble pulling the horse up after the post and was really happy with the run.”