A return to Australia was on the cards for Wewillrock this winter, but trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos have elected to keep him in New Zealand to tackle some home targets.
He performed with distinction across the Tasman over the winter months last year for Sydney trainer John O’Shea, placing in the Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick before winning at the Sydney track a month later.
Lowry was eyeing a return this year, but said his rating makes it hard to place the son of El Roca, so he will remain in New Zealand for the time being.
“He is at a difficult weight at the moment, so it is a bit harder when he goes over there. We are happy to stick around here at the moment,” Lowry said.
Wewillrock has been in good form this preparation, finishing runner-up in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham last month before winning over 1200m at Wanganui.
He will return to Trentham on Saturday to contest the Happy 80th Birthday Garry Chittick 1100, where he will be met by multiple Group One performer Babylon Berlin.
Lowry is aware of the task ahead of his gelding this weekend, but said it is a good opportunity to give the five-year-old some practice down Trentham’s chute ahead of feature sprint targets next season.
“It will be tough against her,” he said. “She has been proven at Group One level where we haven’t. She is rated quite a few points above us, so it is going to be difficult.
“We need some practice down the straight. He may not be competitive against Babylon Berlin but the more practice we get down the straight the better. If we are going to stay in this country that is where our opportunities are.”
Safely through the weekend, Lowry said Wewillrock will likely have another couple of starts before heading for a spell.
“At some stage we will freshen him up, but he is going really well at the moment,” he said. “There is another nice race at Wanganui at the start of next month which he will likely head for, we will just see how he comes through Saturday.”
Lowry will also head to Trentham on Saturday with River Dance, who will attempt to break through for her maiden win in the Waterforce 1600.
“River Dance is a mare that has strengthened mentally, and she should be competitive on Saturday,” Lowry said.