In form gelding Wolfgang has secured a plane ticket across the Tasman this week to tackle Saturday’s Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.
The six-year-old son of Puccini has been faultless this preparation, winning both of his starts, including downing Australian raider Rolls at Matamata last week.
“He was second-up over 2000m and he attacked the line really well. I am very happy,” said Peter McKay, who trains the gelding with his son Shaun.
The Matamata conditioners were weighing up making a late nomination for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa on Saturday but have opted to head to Australia with the gelding instead.
“We are looking to try and get him on a plane this week to race on Saturday at Caulfield in the Herbert Power,” McKay said.
“I worked out it’s about $13,000 (to go to the Livamol) by the time you pay the late nomination and acceptances, and with the weather watch as well, I am not sure what Te Rapa is going to be like.
“It also didn’t work right with the weight-for-age, where it is going to be a handicap over there.”
It may be a hit-and-run mission with Wolfgang this week, however, McKay said they may press on with their charge in Australia if he performs up to expectations.
“If he can run in the first four or five I will be pretty happy, and we will know where he is at,” he said.
“If he went really well, we may look further ahead, but otherwise he will come home again.”
McKay also has a plan b in place if something goes untoward or he doesn’t secure a run on Saturday.
“If something goes wrong between now and Saturday, I will probably throw a nomination in for the following Wednesday where there is a lesser grade race,” he said.
Wolfgang is by MacKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, and was bred by Mapperley Stud, who stood the stallion. He is raced by farm principal Simms Davision in partnership with McKay and his wife Kim after he failed to meet his $50,000 reserve at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale.
McKay has been pleased with the way Wolfgang has continued to develop and believes he has finally come of age as a six-year-old.
“He is starting to look like one of the better ones (progeny of Puccini),” McKay said. “He showed us a lot as a two-year-old, went a bit flat as a three-year-old, and we had a few foot problems off and on as a four-year-old. His record isn’t too bad, he has earned over $200,000 in stakes and he looks like he is coming of age now.”
McKay’s son, and training partner, Shaun will accompany Wolfgang on his Australian trip.
“It works out well,” McKay said. “He has spent a bit of time in Melbourne, so he knows the set-up there. It is easier for Kim and myself to stay at home and control what is happening here.”