Wild Night on Fire

Improving on his fresh-up win, Wild Night (5 g Vanbrugh – Supreme, by Falkirk) beat a smart field in the $50,000 Financial Services Open Handicap 1300 metres on Saturday at Tauranga.

Not since his three-year-old days, when winning the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) amongst five wins in a row, had Wild Night been seen at his absolute best, but he remained unbeaten in three starts on his home track when snaring victory in the Open Handicap 1300 metres on 2 October at Matamata, and trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson were thrilled with his progress in the month between runs.

In the hands of experienced jockey Vinnie Colgan, having his ride on the horse, Wild Night capitalized on barrier three to secure a lovely trip in the trail, was into the clear turning for home, and he asserted his dominance with a powerful turn of foot to the 250m that produced a two-length winning buffer.

“I think they’ve had their troubles with him, but he’s a magnificent horse,” Colgan said. “We had a lovely run, he gave me a powerful kick on the home turn and he kept up a nice gallop in the straight. 

“It was a little bit tight in there (trail). He’s a big boy. We got a little bit of space from the 600m to the 500m which was a bit better and he had room turning for home and let go really nicely.”

On footing upgraded to Good4, Wild Night ran 1300 metres in a polished 1:15.9, last 600m in 33.8 (approx.), and drifted in betting to pay $6.30 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“He’s been in fantastic form at home and a massive thank you to the team, especially at the Colt Barn” said Bergerson, from the course.

“They’ve done a fantastic job with him. He hasn’t been easy, gone through plenty of adversity throughout his career, but he’s a very sound and happy horse at the moment and he’s in fantastic form. 

“His work had been very good. He had to deal with the trip to (abandoned) Te Rapa on Monday, as well.

“We were a bit worried about the 1300 metres second-up and he’s probably a bit better left-handed. He took the corner a bit awkwardly, on the wrong leg, but he’s in fantastic form and it’s awesome to see him stretch out like that.”

Bergerson said he would discuss plans with Mark Walker about where Wild Night would be campaigning, but suggested the $150,000 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) could see him return to the same venue on Saturday 16 November, ahead of the $400,000 Mufhasa TAB Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday 7 December at Trentham. 

“But we’ll get him home and as long as he’s sound and happy we’ll keep going,” Bergerson said.

“A massive thank you to the owners, as well, they’ve been very patient. He’s had his ups and downs. Obviously he bounced back on Boxing Day last year at Pukekohe, but then went to Ellerslie for a couple of duck eggs.

“He had a very long break, a nice slow build up, and fingers crossed he’s back to his best.”

Now the winner of eight from 15 starts, Wild Night 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, owned by Te Akau Love to Party Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), and won in excess of $525,000 in prize money.

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

“He was a really nice colt at the sales,” Ellis said. “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 (Encosta de Lago). 

“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.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see him back racing like he showed today, especially after all the work that staff have done at Te Akau Stud and the stables at Matamata. It’s been a long slog to get him feeling good again and to regain the confidence he had as a three-year-old, but I think he’ll be feeling pretty good about himself after winning like that.”

Wild Night was strapped by Muralla Mallesh.