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On the same day that his dam took out the 2006 Gr. 1 Kelt Capital Stakes, Wolfwhistle showed he has inherited plenty of the family staying traits with a win.
This was over 2000 metres in the Trinity Hill Homage Handicap at Hastings on Saturday.
The son of O’Reilly and multiple Group One winner Legs was stepping to 2000 metres for the first time with jockey Matt Cameron obliging his trainer Jason Bridgman’s wishes to handle the four-year-old entire patiently at his middle distance debut.
“We wanted him to relax and do everything right in his first start over ground, and it was a huge effort to come from that far back,” said Bridgman.On a day that was dominated by horses racing on the pace Cameron settled Wolfwhistle in midfield before looping his rivals on the home turn in a sustained finish that produced a neck victory in 2:02.5 for the journey.
“Having now won his first run over a ground, it is very encouraging,” said Bridgman.Depending on the rating points gained from the victory, Bridgman is considering a trip south to Riccarton on the 25th of October to contest the Listed Spring Classic (2000m), a race he won last year with Viana.
Cameron was impressed with the win and predicted it wouldn’t be the last for his mount.“He hadn’t raced since the first day here (Aug. 30), so it was good to get into that rhythm, “he said.
“After getting some cover from the 800m to around the 500m, I opted to come out without moving on him. He kicked away and although getting a bit tired the last bit but he stuck on nicely.“He’s bred to be anything, has finally come of age and to still be a colt, doing what he’s doing, he’s pretty honest and the O’Reilly’s keep getting better with age.”
Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $240,000 at the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Waikato Stud, Wolfwhistle has now won three of his nine starts for his owners, the Te Akau Wolfwhistle Syndicate.