Mornington trainer Jerome Hunter anticipates another mile challenge for Wonder Boy, this occasion at his familiar track.
The four-year-old will take on the No Fuss Event Hire Handicap (1600m) at Mornington this Saturday before potentially heading to Brisbane.
Hunter indicated there is no cause for concern about Wonder Boy handling the 1600m distance now that the gelding has developed more strength compared to when he tackled it as a three-year-old 11 months back.
Following a victory over 1400m in the Bendigo Guineas during April of last year, Hunter transported Wonder Boy to Brisbane for the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m).
The gelding led early but faded late to place sixth.
“He didn’t get much of a chance up at Eagle Farm that day when nothing went right for him,” Hunter said.
“He was up on speed, there was a lot going on, and it didn’t suit him.
“Back on his home track, he’ll be ridden more conservatively, and we’ll see whether he gets the trip or not.”
Since his Bendigo triumph last April, Wonder Boy has yet to secure another win, yet Hunter remains encouraged by the gelding’s recent second-place effort over 1400m at Rosehill, noting that the journey had no negative impact.
“He’s done well since Sydney and he has done really well this preparation,” Hunter said.
“Last start, he came up against a pretty good horse, I think.”
The trainer dreams of another Brisbane campaign this year, aiming to qualify Wonder Boy for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm come June.
“He would need to get his rating up, but that would be a lovely race to try and get him into,” Hunter said.
“If we get him up there early enough there are some nice lead-up races along the way.”
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds on the No Fuss Event Hire Handicap at Mornington.