Jockey Jason Collett, who previously claimed the Spring Champion Stakes with Montefilia, is hopeful that his mount Wonka can achieve the same success. However, he believes the colt will need an economical run to do so.
The primary concern for Collett regarding his ride in Saturday’s Group 1 race, which features nine contenders all stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time, is the distance.
“I just want a soft run to give him his chance to see out the distance, which is a question mark,” Collett stated. “If he gets a soft enough run, he can see it out, and I think he’ll be strong late. He’s got a very good turn of foot, so if we can utilise that Saturday, that’s one of our advantages.”
Wonka has been prepared with sufficient fitness to handle the journey, as the Spring Champion Stakes will mark his sixth start this campaign. He previously won the Dulcify Quality (1600m) two starts back and finished a close second to Proxima Dea, another rival on Saturday, in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last time out after a determined finish.
Collett has been in the saddle for four of Wonka’s six career starts and has observed the colt’s steady improvement.
“He learned as he’s gone. He did a few things wrong early in the preparation when he’d want to go a bit keen. But with racing, he’s become more professional, and become more of a racehorse,” Collett commented. “He keeps taking the step up, and keeps performing, and drawn favourably on Saturday, he’s a good chance.”
Collett is also slated to ride Central Europe for trainer Waller in the Callander-Presnell (1600m), marking his first ride on the horse since its juvenile season. Although the three-year-old colt is still a maiden after six outings, he faces a considerable drop in class compared to his recent runs in the Golden Rose (1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (1600m). In those races, he showed late momentum to finish fourth behind Cox Plate contender Warwoven.
“He was great in the Guineas. That was such a strong race, and he comes back up here to Sydney,” Collett explained. “A mile doesn’t look to be a problem, so he looks a good hope.”
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