Long-standing New Plymouth thoroughbred identity John Wheeler will don an extra hat at his local meeting this week to mark a memorable milestone.
He will have half a-dozen runners in action on Friday, including the progressive Lord Donovan (NZ) (Lord), and will also be part of Taranaki Racing’s 150th Jubilee Celebrations.
Wheeler will be centre stage with his close friend, former New Zealand Test cricketing great John Wright, at an 11.30am luncheon to kick off the festivities ahead of the seven-race card.
“John will be the guest speaker and I’ll be questioning him, he’s been a mate of mine for about 50 years, so I’ve got a bit on him,” Wheeler said.
“It will be a bit of fun and he’s a good bloke and loves his racing so it’s an opportune time to get him here and makes him do some work.”
The day will also feature a jockeys’ series to raise funds for breast and prostate cancer with Taranaki Racing to add to the donations through the luncheon and racecourse entry.
Invited jockeys will give two selections from their book of rides and Taranaki Racing will place $10 each way on their chosen mounts, with the earnings given to their relevant charity. The rider with the highest dividend at the conclusion of the meeting will be crowned the leading jockey.
Meanwhile, the Wheeler-trained Lord Donovan will make his first appearance since he triumphed on all three days of the New Zealand Cup carnival when he steps out in the HTL Group Handicap (1200m).
“He’s had a good break and he’s going along well. I’m pretty happy with him and he’ll be very competitive,” Wheeler said.
“I want to see how he measures up to better class, I haven’t got anything in mind for him yet and we’ll just see what happens on Friday.”
Stablemate Herbert (NZ) (Sweet Orange) has gone close to breaking through on several occasions and Wheeler is bullish about his chances in the Signright Maiden (2000m).
“He’s a pretty good horse, but he does a lot wrong to be fair and is his own worst enemy,” he said.
“He gawks around when he gets to the front, he’s not a silly horse, just a laid-back dude.”
Herbert holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Wheeler is hoping for a show of stamina on his home track.
“I think the 2000m on Friday will answer some questions. The mile and a-half may stretch him, but he has got a fair bit of stoutness in his pedigree,” he said.
Wheeler will also be represented by Tsunami (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Tranzed (NZ) (Zed) in the Landmark City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m), Zivjeli (NZ) (Shocking) in the Peninsular Beachfront Resort Mooloolaba (1400m) and Pucci (NZ) (Puccini) in the Crowded House Maiden (1600m).
“Tsunami is just coming up and going well and so is Tranzed, it will be interesting to see if he measures up to Rating 65 class,” he said.
“Zivjeli has had a break and is just coming up and might need a couple of runs to get back to its best.”
Tsunami is moving up in trip after a resuming sprint outing while Tranzed was a last-start maiden success on the course while Pucci was a debut sixth earlier this month and is another stepping up in distance.
