Saturday Triple Treat - Win 2 Wild Night

Last start course winner Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme, by Falkirk) stepped in grade with a big effort in the $40,000 Manco Environmental Rating 65 1400 metres on Saturday at Matamata.

Retaining the ride after taking advantage of an inside run to win the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 21 September, Opie Bosson was caught wide for a majority of the trip but Wild Night never flinched and responded in game fashion to score in a tight finish.

“They rushed up underneath us a bit,” said Bosson, after drawing barrier 10. “Luckily, my horse came back to me and dropped the bit perfectly.

“He's a bit green and still learning but a very nice galloper. He's got big long legs, so he took a while to balance up and as he goes on the better he's going to get.”

A towering individual, now winner of two from three, Wild Night was strongly supported on the TAB tote, paying $2.60 & $1.50, running 1400 metres in 1:24.0.

“It was a good aggressive ride,” said trainer Mark Walker. “He went forward, was going to get caught deep, just came back a touch and it worked out for him.

“He's still a bit wayward, but he's improving and there's a good bunch of people involved in the ownership.”

Walker suggested Wild Night could now contest $120,000 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Saturday 22 October at Te Rapa.

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).

Wild Night is from the second crop of Group One winner (Spring Champion Stakes, 2000m) and dual Group Three winner (1800m & 2000m) Vanbrugh, by sire of sires Encosta de Lago (Fairy King).

The Spring Champion Stakes, a stallion making race, was also won by Savabeel (Zabeel) and Dundeel (High Chaparral).

Wild Night is a half-brother to Play That Song (Showcasing), Group Two winner and Karaka Million 2YO runner-up.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: ““He's a really nice colt. We thought he was very good value at the price and we were prepared to take a chance on well-bred young sire Vanbrugh.

“His grand-dam, Maxamore (Volksraad), was a really good filly that won the Matamata Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).”

Wild Night was strapped by Mallesh Saddari.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz