It’s not a common occurrence for James McDonald to ride at Wyong on a Sunday, but he made the trip for Steel Will, and will now assess the colt’s potential as a carnival contender at Rosehill.
Steel Will, though not a sales-ring graduate, boasts a superb pedigree as a son of I Am Invincible from the mare Pittsburgh Flyer, who is also the dam of dual Group 1 victor September Run.
After an emphatic victory by over six lengths at Wyong, the three-year-old colt is set to compete in Saturday’s Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1300m) in town. Trainer Chris Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth, believes this race is his chance to prove he belongs in the more prestigious events.
“James said, ‘I’m going to go and ride it on a Sunday’ so that was a big tick,” Duckworth stated. “I know it was only a provincial race, but he won by more than six. It’s a fair old margin.
“Saturday gives him his chance to stamp himself and prove that he should be with all the better colts, and that’s hopefully what we will see from him.”
Steel Will is heavily favoured to succeed and, despite still having much to demonstrate, he holds an entry for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) next month.
Owned by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Steel Will previously finished third behind Kindergarten Stakes placegetters The Next Episode and Under Focus at Warwick Farm in March, before a disappointing performance in the Group 3 race.
Duckworth commented that the horse had shown more promise at home as a juvenile than what he displayed on race days.
“His form at two, it was okay, but it wasn’t as good as what we thought the horse was,” he said. “He had a couple of chinks in his armour, and he’d do a few things wrong. He’s just come in more mature this time around.”
Steel Will is one of three runners prepared by Waller in this benchmark race, alongside Your Colour, who needs to improve significantly from her unplaced debut in midweek company at Warwick Farm, and the consistent performer Letters Patent.
“Your Colour needs to lift a bit, but she’s drawn well with a light weight,” Duckworth explained. “Letters Patent hasn’t really done anything wrong. There’s a few of those three-year-olds sitting on the cusp of pushing into Group races or staying in Saturday grade. I guess we’ll find out a lot on Saturday.”
Steel Will is the favourite to claim victory in Saturday’s handicap. For those looking to back the colt, consider exploring the available Australian betting sites.