It’s A Wonder can do a double
Today’s Wanganui jump-out ideal warmup for Te Rapa steeples
Talented jumper It’s A Wonder will be chasing history next week at Te Rapa. The Harvey Wilson-trained 10-year-old will be vying to retain his crown in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m).
While winning back-to-back editions of a race isn’t uncommon, winning it in the same season is.
As a result of Covid-19 and its impact on the racing calendar, the jumps season was truncated and delayed several months, with It’s A Wonder winning the Waikato Steeplechase in August last year.
With the race back in its usual timeslot of May this year, the son of Istidaad could become an anomaly in the history books.
“All going well he will head up to the Waikato Steeples next week,” Wilson said.
“Although he won it last year, it was in this season, so that will be interesting.
“I think they did a good job doing what they did last year [with the
The fields for today’s Wanganui Jockey Club meeting appear on page 30.
revised jumping season], but it probably got too late in the season and the ground got good. It will be great to be back to normal this year.”
The Waikato Steeplechase will be It’s A Wonder’s first tilt over fences this year, and he will get ready for the feature race with a hit-out in the Fast-track Insurance Open Hurdle (3000m) at Wanganui today.
“It’s a stepping stone until he starts chasing,” Wilson said. “He has had a flat race and a jumping trial, and a flat trial at Waverley last week, and we have been happy with him.”
It’s A Wonder will be partnered by regular rider Shaun Phelan and Wilson is hoping to retain the leading jumps jockey for the season.
“As long as his form is okay, Shaun will stick with him hopefully,” Wilson said. “He knows the horse and they
Coming events: Tuesday golf 10.00am tee off. Saturday 15 May. 24 hole split 12 open stableford competition teeing off from 10.00am. All golfers and non golfers welcome. Enquiries: hawkestonegolf@gmail.com or ph. 0210572931. Visitors are welcome.
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get on well together.”
It’s A Wonder has a strong record over steeples, having won four of his six starts, and placed in his other two outings.
One of those victories came in the Grand National Steeplechase (5900m) at Riccarton in 2019, and Wilson has ambitions of returning south.
“We would love to go back down south again, but we will see what happens at Waikato, and we will take it step-by-step.”
Wilson will also line up Dr Hank in the Rivercity Golf (2060m), with his future set to be as a jumper.
“He has had a couple of jumping trials and he will have a maiden hurdle race quite soon, he is ready to go.”
Meanwhile, Wilson has been pleased with the way stablemate Password has come through his firstup fifth-placed run in the WoodvillePahiatua Cup (1600m) at Woodville last Sunday.
“We were pleased with him. He got caught out a wee bit, but he has pulled up very well, you wouldn’t know he has had a run.” — NZ Racing Desk
Thursday, May 6
D. Fullerton Smith 39, M. Rothman 38, A.Shand 37, P.Connolly 37, H.Bremner 36, R.Greener 36, A.Corser 35, B.McGuiniss 34, G. Calkin 33, A. Duncan 33, T.Hammond 31, T.McVerry 31 L. Wake 31, D.Tarrant 30, R.McDermott 28.
9-hole
Tuesday, May 11
Stableford — Bessie Fullerton Smith Trophy won by Brian Willis.
Div.1: 1st Brian Willis 21pts, 2nd Bryan Hamerton 19pts, 3rd Claire Aston 16pts. Div 2: 1st Barry Williams 16pts, 2nd Sam Atkinson 15pts, 3rd Barry Florence 15pts c/b. Div 3: 1st David Stantial 13pts, 2nd Jan Cook 13pts, 3rd Judy McConachy 12pts. Raffle: Steve Whitford. Lucky Card: Bob Barrett. Next Week will be a Medal & Putting. Starters: Joe Graham & David Smith. Cards: Sheena Marshall & Barb Crawford. Kitchen Clare Ashton.
Ladies 18 Hole
Wednesday, May 5
Competition; LGU Medal & Putting.
1st Division: C Skou nett 66, R Williams nett 76, J Ritchie nett 79
2nd Division: R Morrison nett 69, D Chapman nett 71, H Wilton nett 74 on countback. Sponsored Balls; D Singer, J Christie. M Simpson
Lucky Draw; E Bowler.
Putting; G Burne, R Morrison 26 putts.
Wanganui
Thursday competition. May 6
B White 38 pts, H Davies 37, R Nicholson 37, L Eyles 36, L Anderson 36, G Horrex 36, Two’s K Johnson, G Horrex, R Nicholson, N Hooker. Closest Marker No 1 De Pond ball C Hovey. Longest putt 3rd Riverlands Family Park R Nicholson. Nearest flag 14th L Respinger. Longest putt 18th Canaan Honey voucher B Patrick. Lucky Cards, J Kay, R Bullock.
Castlecliff
Wednesday, May 5
Specsavers Haggle Stableford: Lee Matson 38, Peter McIntyre 36, Carl Murphy 35, Buff Drayton 35, Warren Newbold 35, Grant Clark 35, Graham James 35, Richard Millward 35, Brian Francis 35
Twos: Stu Cornor, Terry Gaskin
Specsavers Nearest The Pin: Terry Gaskin
Rangatira
Saturday, May 1
Men-Stableford: G.Eldridge 38, J.McAlley 37, R. Leary 34, B.Randall 32, D.Livingston 32. Closest pin #13 S.Ratima.
Wednesday, May 5
Women- Captains Trophy-Stableford- Putting: M.Walshe 37, D.King 35, J.McAlley 34, J.Griffiths 33, M.Young 33.
Twos: J.Griffiths
Putts: D.King 28.