Six Win Boxing Day - Wild Night Wows

Owned by Te Akau Love to Party Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh – Supreme, by Falkirk) provided great reason to celebrate after winning the $90,000 Barfoot & Thompson Open Handicap 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Pukekohe.

Towering above his rivals, Wild Night created a wonderful impression during his three-year-old season, winning five of nine starts, including the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m), Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m), while finishing second in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m), and third in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m).

Off the scene for an extended period, which included the removal of a bone chip, Wild Night had resumed with an eye-catching effort for third in the Open Handicap 1200 metres on 30 November at Otaki, and ran home well in a trial on 22 December at Matamata.

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.

“He didn’t cost a lot and he’s been such an exciting horse for his owners,” Ellis said. 

“He’s been a little bit ungainly and had to have a longer break than expected when having a bone chip removed, so it’s just taken a bit to get him into racing trim and Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) and all the team that work with him have done a great job. 

“There were a few doubters as to whether he could show his best second-up today, but I think he’s shown with that sort of performance that he’s every bit as good as he was last season.”

Utilising barrier one to settle handily for Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson, Wild Night was cruising behind the leaders turning for home, lengthened into space mid-straight and found plenty to comfortably hold the challengers at bay.

“He’s had so many niggles and it’s a credit to the team that they got him here in one piece, and he felt great, today, actually,” Bosson said. 

“He got there beautifully in between runners and every time he heard the horse (Uderzo) coming on the outside he kept giving me a bit more.

“He’s going well and should be on target for the $1 million mile (Aotearoa Classic) on Karaka Millions' night.”

On footing upgraded to Soft6, Wild Night ran 1400 metres in a polished 1:22.8, last 600m in 33.9 (approx.), and shortened markedly in betting to $2.30 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He’s just got such a big frame and he hasn’t had the best of legs, so he takes quite a bit of management,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“It was a good win, that will bring him on and he may run next at the twilight meeting on 14 January at Ellerslie.

“Unusually, we trialled him last Friday (22 Dec.) at Matamata, which we wouldn’t normally do, but we’re a little bit behind and just trying to catch up a bit on his fitness for the Aotearoa Classic.”

The $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (4YO, 1600m) is contested on Karaka Million night, Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie. 

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

“He was a really nice colt at the sales,” Ellis added. “We thought he was very good value at the price and we were prepared to take a chance on the well-bred young sire Vanbrugh. 

“His grand-dam, Maxamore (Volksraad), was a really good filly that won the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m), so the ability is certainly there in the family.

“It’s great that a horse like this can be such a wonderful flag-bearer for his owners and the stable, and we can look forward to him continuing his good form in January.”

Wild Night was strapped by Mallesh Saddari.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz