Start Wondering returns

Trainers Evan and JJ Rayner believe they have stable star Start Wondering on track to defend his Group I Sistema Railway (1200m) crown on New Year’s Day.

The son of Eighth Wonder rose to prominence when he downed the best sprinters in this year’s Ellerslie feature and went on to make his mark in three other Group I’s, including victory in the Group II NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Those wins, plus his seconds in the Group I Telegraph Handicap (1200m) and Haunui Farm Group I weight-for-age Classic (1600m), earned him the New Zealand Champion Sprinter award and the Rayners are confident he can measure up along the same path this campaign.

‘‘He had a good break after Brisbane and he’s come back looking great,’’ Evan Rayner said. ‘‘He’s had exhibition gallops between races at Otaki and Waverley, but he hasn’t been to the trials.

‘‘He could have gone to the Waverley or Foxton trials, but we don’t want him too tuned up. He’s done enough.’’

Star Wondering will resume in Friday’s Listed Fasttrack Insurance Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki under the clear topweight of

61kgs.

Start Wondering will be ridden as usual by Johnathan Parkes and is likely to have one further buildup run for the Railway.

Meanwhile, Graeme Rogerson has his sights set on talented filly Gift Of Power and stablemate Ferrando joining Start Wondering in the Railway.

Gift Of Power, a three-year-old filly, took a step toward the lofty goal when lining up in an open

1000-metre trial at Matamata on Tuesday. She disputed most of the pace with Break My Stride and she pleased the Tuhikaramea trainer with her fighting second, a head behind Akoya, when ridden by his granddaughter, Bailey Rogerson.

‘‘She had missed a bit of work since she last raced and needed the trial,’’ Rogerson said.

‘‘She will run next in a rating 85 1000m at Trentham. I want to get her into the Railway. I think she is good enough.’’

Gift Of Power has won four of her seven starts, including the Group II Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham last December, and she was runner-up in the Group III Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) behind Hasahalo, who went on to recently win the Group I gavelhouse.com NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

Ferrando is already on target for the Sistema Railway, though Rogerson believes he should have finished closer than fourth in last Saturday’s Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl.

- NZ Racing Desk