Rayners set star for Otaki

‘‘He’ll run in the Haunui Farm Classic and then he’ll have a spell. Co-trainer Evan Rayner

New Zealand’s champion sprinter will step up to a mile next time out.

Star Wanganui galloper Start Wondering will be given the chance to add another Group I title to his record at Otaki on Saturday week.

‘‘He’ll run in the Haunui Farm Classic and then he’ll have a spell,’’ said Evan Rayner, who trains the 6-year-old with his daughter JJ.

‘‘He’s been up for a while and there aren’t any other races for him anyway.’’

While Start Wondering has been in lethal form over shortcourse distances, he also has an imposing record over 1600m.

He posted three wins and three placings at the trip for his former trainer Paul Belsham and he was also successful over 1500m at Rosehill from Chris Waller’s stable before a bleeding attack resulted in his return home.

Start Wondering doubled his Group I tally at Te Rapa on the weekend when he earned top honours in the NRM Sprint for regular rider Johnathan Parkes.

‘‘He was out in the paddock up there for half an hour before we left and got home about midnight,’’ Rayner said.

‘‘He’s taken it all in his stride – nothing worries him at all.’’

The winner of the Group I Railway Stakes on his previous trip north, Start Wondering was narrowly denied a feature sprint treble when he was beaten a nose by Signify in the Group I Telegraph.

‘‘He probably got to the front a bit too soon and he was run down by the horse with the lighter weight,’’ Rayner said.

‘‘I’ve been training since 1969 and been lucky enough to have some very good horses like Van Winkle and Raywood Lass, who was a Group I winner, but this horse would be steps ahead of them.’’

Kawi delighted trainer Allan Sharrock with fifth behind Start Wondering at Te Rapa jumping as a warm $3.20 favourite and is likely to dispute favouritism with him at Otaki.

‘‘I was thrilled with him on Saturday as his race was over when the barriers opened. He jumped slowly and that was it,’’ Sharrock said.