Wild Night Wonderful - 3 Win Saturday

Stamping just what a good horse he is, Wild Night (3 g Vanbrugh - Supreme, by Falkirk) easily won the $50,000 Wentwood Grange 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa, making it four wins in a row.

Winning both the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres and Rating 65 1400 metres in two starts at Matamata, before an exciting victory when coming from last to win the Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on 22 October at Te Rapa, Wild Night had freshened beautifully under the tutelage of trainer Mark Walker and there was an air of superiority about his performance.

Settling 10^thof 12 from a wide gate, and spotting the leader six lengths at the 600m, Wild Night was into contention with a few big bounds approaching the 300m, before sailing on by. It was a big effort and oozed the ability he has shown throughout.

“He came up underneath me beautifully,” said jockey Opie Bosson. “I was always mindful he might need the run, but Mark (Walker) gave him a good hit out on Thursday morning. He had a good puff but it really cleaned him up.

“He's untapped, really, still learning and raced a lot better today, more professional, so it's exciting.”

Now the winner of four from five, Wild Night ran 1200 metres in 1:10.0, last 600m in 34.9, and drifted in betting to pay $3.90 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He was a little bit behind the eight ball and missed a gallop last Saturday, so it was a good effort by the horse and Opie (Bosson) summed it up,” Walker said.

“He let the speed go and looked as though he could have been in a bit of tight trouble for a while, but he got him out and he's got a lot of improvement in him this horse and I think he'll lap up 1600 metres.”

Ahead of the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (Restricted Listed, 1600m) on January 21 at Pukekohe, Walker said Wild Night would contest the $100,000 Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Pukekohe.

Regarding distances past a mile, Walker said: “I don't see why not. He relaxes well and he's a pretty exciting horse.”

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).

“He's the second winner today including Trobriand that we've bought as a yearling from Windsor Park Stud and they're represented here today by Mike Moran,” Ellis said.

“It's also a great thrill to win the race sponsored by Wentwood Grange. They don't come any better than the Hawkins family that run the business and I'm so proud to have them involved in the stable. They're absolute champions. Des & Janet (Hawkins), it's great to have you here and your sons who are here too.

“To have the involvement of both Windsor Park Stud and Wentwood Grange, two of the very best breeders in the country, is a special thrill, and we again look forward to inspecting your drafts of yearlings ahead of the sales in January at Karaka.

“Also to Zavier Walker, Mark's son, it's great to have you with us and you've certainly brought us good luck early in the day with three winners.

“To all the great owners in this horse, including Julia-Rose (Ellis) and her husband Hamish (Hayes), congratulations, and, again, it could be a pretty wild night for you all.

“I think this is a pretty decent sort of horse, so well done and thank you for all your support.”

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.

Wild Night was strapped by Mallesh Saddari.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz