Group One winner Kolding is on track for a bold showing in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, according to trainer Chris Waller.
The New Zealand-bred gelding pleased in his Queensland winter campaign, placing in both the Gr.3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) and Gr.2 Q22 (2200m), and has returned to Waller’s Sydney barn in good order.
“He has come back well,” Waller said.
“The better the track, the better he will go. It’s the same story we have had over the last 12 months with him.
“He is working really well.”
A son of Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park, Kolding was bred by retired Australian businessman and former professional rugby league player, Warren Pegg, who has been a client of the Hawkins family’s Wentwood Grange since it commenced operation in 2000.
Out of the Danzero mare Magic Star, Kolding is a half-brother to multiple stakes winning stayer Sampson and the Listed winner Miss Upstart.
Offered through Wentwood Grange’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft, Kolding was purchased by Guy Mulcaster for $170,000 on behalf of prominent Queensland owner Neville Morgan, a long-time supporter of Mulcaster and Waller.
Kolding has now won 11 of his 40 starts, including the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Gr.1 George Main Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m), and A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m).
Waller will have a strong contingent in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) a race later, including New Zealand-breds Kukeracha and No Compromise.
“It was a good first-up run (by No Compromise over 1400m),” Waller said. “He will be better suited to a mile.
“A soft track won’t worry him and from barrier six he should get a good run.
“Kukeracha has come back well and doesn’t mind a soft track.
“It is going to be hard to beat Mo’unga, Numerian and Montefilia.”
Kukeracha was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster for $130,000.
He has gone on to win four of his 23 starts for Waller, including the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and Listed Tails Stakes (1640m).
Bred and raised at Curraghmore, No Compromise was purchased at Karaka 2018 by former trainer Bill Thurlow for $40,000 and is raced by his brother Grant and his wife Patty.
Out of broodmare gem Baggy Green, No Compromise is also a half-brother to four-time Group One winner Tofane and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) runner-up Benaud, and is also closely related to Group One winners Funstar and Youngstar.