Time for Waller to Start Wondering about future targets

Champion trainer Chris Waller has some thinking to do after his talented galloper Start Wondering made an impressive return when winning the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

 

The former Kiwi made it two wins from as many Australian starts and took his record to six victories from 10 racetrack appearances.

 

“He’s a good horse,” Waller said.

 

“If we want to get serious in the carnival we have to think about stopping and starting again but if there’s a suitable $85,000 in two or three weeks he’ll be running in it.

 

“We’ll have to see what his rating is on Monday. I like to get them up to open company before getting too technical.”

 

Start Wondering was the subject of solid support from punters since markets were published on Wednesday with the five-year-old backed in from $5.50.

 

At Rosehill on Saturday on-course bookies opened Start Wondering at $2.50 and his quote eased to $3.60 before punters again stepped in and the son of English Wonder (NZ) started at $3.10.

 

Settling further back than expected, Start Wondering travelled in the back third of the field before launching down the centre of the Rosehill straight to reel in a gallant Paceman ($6) to score by a short neck. Le Cordon Bleu ($9.50) was a further 1-3/4 lengths away in third.

 

“Winning horses overcome bad starts,” Waller said. “They make their own luck.

 

“His class seemed to take over in the straight. He’s a pretty promising horse.

 

“I’d say he’s a Group III horse. You don’t know a Group I horse until they’re actually under that race pressure. That next step it’s that last 100 metres under intense pressure.” – Racenet