Wonder, wonder little star

WANGANUI is rocking thanks to a horse named Start Wondering.

Nobody who saw his Group I win at Te Rapa yesterday in the NRM Sprint (1400m) will be wondering about the ability of the Evan and JJ Rayner-trained sprinter.

The gelding’s connections are hardcore Wanganui.

The Rayners are born and bred as are owners Stephen and Jo Gudsell while jockey Johnathan Parkes served his apprenticeship in the river city.

Exuberant celebrations followed his win in premier sprint the Railway Stakes on New Year’s Day and similar can be expected after his latest heroics.

In between times, he ran second in the Telegraph at Trentham and he has firmly established himself at the this country’s sprinting ranks.

‘‘He’s a good one,’’ said an emotional Evan Rayner, who has seen his share of good ones in a long and successful career.

The gelding by little known sire Eighth Wonder had to be good to smoke over the 1400 in 1:21.32.

‘‘I said to Johnathan ‘‘don’t try and be in front, let someone take you there’,’’ Rayner said.

Parkes did exactly as he was directed landing in the trail behind the speed set by the three-year-old Saracino.

’’He gave him a lovely ride,’’ JJ Rayner said wiping away tears. ‘‘He put him in the perfect spot.’’ Veteran Natuzzi put in a fantastic effort running home strongly from midfield for second on a day that top of favoured those on speed or in the trail.

Saracino fought for third ahead of Heroic Valour and the well backed top weight Kawi.

Kawi was backed in late from $3.90 to $3.20 including a $5000 plunge at $3.60 but failed to justify the support in his fresh-up run after a Perth campaign.

‘‘It was the biggest go of the day,’’ said TAB bookmaker Stephen Hunt.

Kawi’s trainer Allan Sharrock will press on to the Group I Haunui Classic (1600m) at Otaki in a couple of weeks.

‘‘We’ll go to Otaki and see how we go,’’ Sharrock said as he discussed with jockey Michael Walker the possibility of adding blinkers at the horse’s next start. ‘‘It wasn’t a bad effort today.’’ Connections of Star Wondering are unsure, at this stage, of where the mare will next start.