3 Win Boxing Day - Wild Night Wows in Uncle Remus

Continuing to raise the bar, Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme, by Falkirk) paved the way for a mouth-watering contest after his audacious victory in the $100,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe.

Coming from last to win the Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) in October and making it four from five with an easy victory in the 3YO 1200 metres on 10 December at Te Rapa, Wild Night extended his impressive record ahead of the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on January 21 at Pukekohe, where he is due to meet 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Legarto (Proisir), who earlier on the programme won the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m).

“There will be a bit a banter at the track and it's shaping up to be a wonderful race,” said trainer Mark Walker, referring to fellow Matamata trainer Ken Kelso who prepares Legarto.

Given a lovely ride by Opie Bosson, Wild Night chased a genuine pace in sixth, five lengths 600m, and was unimpeded when mounting his challenge in the straight. He kept on coming to level with the leaders, but looked classy late in a performance that again oozed his untapped ability.

“He's a good horse and there's still a bit of improvement in him, too, so we can look forward to the Karaka Million and the clash with Legarto,” Bosson said.

“He's screaming out for the mile. They had him a little off the bit most the way, but he's a good horse when he lets down underneath you and gives an amazing feeling.

“He reminds me of Te Akau Shark, a bit, and looks like him as well. He's got the same racing style.

“He's run sectionals like her (Legarto), so it's going to be a good clash.”

On footing upgraded to Good3, Wild Night ran 1400 metres in 1:21.5, last 600m in 33.5, and drifted in betting to pay $3.80 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB.

“It was a really good effort and Opie didn't panic,” Walker said. “He took a while to wind up today, so I think he's on target for a mile and even further, a bit later on, is going to be right up his alley.

“He had a good win at Te Rapa, but full credit to Graeme Styles (Matamata track manager) and the amazing job he and his staff do to provide us with the training tracks we get.

“He's got that will to win, and good on David Ellis, he paid $50k for this bloke.”

Wild Night was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis CNZM for $50,000 at the Karaka 2021 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and owned by Te Akau Love to Party Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“Thank you to the sponsors,” Ellis said. “What a wonderful company it is and we've had such a great association with the Schick family at Windsor Park. They're legends of the turf and they don't come any better.

“Congratulations to Auckland Thoroughbred Racing for putting on such a good track and a great day out for everyone involved.

“Some of the owners are also in On The Bubbles, who won the Karaka Million 2YO and Group One Sires' and he won this race too.

“Also to Mark Walker, that's his second stakes' win today and win 84 for the season, so well done to you and all the team at Te Akau.

“It's also a very emotional win, given the recent passing of Hall of Fame trainer Colin Jillings, a man who meant so much to me and trained the Champion Three-Year-Old Uncle Remus who the race is named in honour.  Hence Opie had the black armband on in his honour.

“We - Jillo, Peter Grieve, Ivan Grieve and the late Herbie Dyke, used to go in the trout fishing contest at Taupo, which Jillo treated like the Auckland Cup. We had to win it and did in 17 of the 21 years. We played a lot of poker and had a lot of fun.

“Jillo was just a champion person, who taught so much about, not just life, but about racing, and he also introduced me to Karyn.

“It's a very proud moment to win this race in light of his recent passing.”

Wild Night was strapped by Mallesh Saddari.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz