Wolverine Waikato Exhibition

Stripping in good order, Wolverine (4 m Tivaci – Knew It, by O’Reilly) had a solo exhibition gallop between races on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Preparing to trial on 31 October at Te Rapa, ahead of resuming in the $90,000 Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m), Wolverine had Craig Grylls aboard and looked good in her action while working over 1000 metres in 57.2, last 600m in a slick 33.2, on footing upgraded to Good3.

Wolverine was purchased as a racing and breeding proposition by Te Akau principal David Ells CNZM at the Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale 2023 and now owned by Te Akau Wolverine Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

As a two-year-old, she finished second to Te Akau stable-mates Dynastic (Almanzor) in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and subsequent Champion Two-Year-Old Maven Belle (Burgundy) in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m).

She then transferred to the stables of Kris Lees in Newcastle (NSW), and continued her fine form as a three-year-old, finishing third in the Tea Rose Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m), second in the Canberra Guineas (Listed, 1400m), third in the Carbine Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), second in the Daybreak Lover (Listed, 1400m), third in the Princess Stakes (Listed, 1615m), and last start fourth in the Gold Coast Bracelet (Listed, 1800m) when coming from well back off a wide gate (14).

Her first two dams, Knew It (O’Reilly) and Know All (Zabeel) are by Champion Sires and Champion Broodmare Sires, as too is third dam sire Centaine.

Third dam Critic (Centaine) was an explosive mare that won the Otaki Maori Weight-For-Age (Gr. 1, 1400m). Twice a winner as a two-year-old, Critic could sit off a good tempo and quicken appreciably when asked to extend, winning nine races from 1300 – 2100 metres. 

It is also the family of Horse of the Year Ocean Park (Thorn Park), winner of five Group Ones – four in a row – including the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m).