Fresh off a pleasing Melbourne campaign, the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) will head to Ellerslie on Tuesday where he will contest the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m).
The six-year-old son of Puccini finished sixth in the Gr.2 Herber Power Stakes (2400m) before running fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m), and has thrived since returning to New Zealand.
“I was intending to put him out for three or four days, but first day out he started bucking and kicking and carrying on, so he came straight back in again,” Peter McKay said.
“He has come through it (Melbourne trip) really well. His first run was really good, we decided to ride a bit handier next time and was hoping to get in, but it just didn’t work out for him. He was out punching the breeze the whole way, kicked on the corner and a couple of decent horses beat him home. To be running close to them we needed to have had an economical run. I was rapt with his run.
“It was his first time away over there and he has coped with it well and hopefully he can have another campaign next year where he will be a little bit of a stronger stayer.”
Wolfgang will jump from barrier nine on Tuesday with Michael McNab aboard and has been installed a $4.40 second favourite for the race behind Habana ($4.20).
“It is just going to come down to how he can get in and if he can get a bit of cover,” McKay said. “It is not going to be easy from the 2000m, it is not far to the first corner. There is a bit of speed in the race, there are a couple in there that run a bit early so they might split the field a little bit.”
The McKays are also hopeful of a bold showing from stablemate Strange Love (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop), who takes two runner-up performances into the Champion 2YO Sword Of State 1400.
“She has gone really good runs,” McKay said. “She has raced once or twice right-handed. The first time was only her second start, and she drew a wide gate and was a bit green. Her next start didn’t go too well, she jumped out and bucked. She had never done it before, so I just put it to a bad day out.
“She works both ways economically so hopefully she will be near the lead, and she is pretty happy there.”
McKay will also be represented by Santa Catalina and Subiaco in the Auckland Co-Op Taxis 1600, Don Pauly in the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series 1600, and Final Impact in the Barfoot & Thompson 2400.
“I was happy with the way Santa Catalina finished (last start when third), I was happy she was finding the line and I am guessing that is what she could be doing tomorrow with some good ones in there,” McKay said. “If she could run in the first three I will be very happy.
“Sabiaco is in the same race. His three runs have been very good. His greenness is the only thing that would beat him, otherwise he will be very hard to beat.”