Wild Planet has not had the best of luck in two starts since winning the Listed VRC March Stakes at Flemington in March but everything fell into place for the son of Animal Kingdom (USA) in Saturday’s Group II Iron Jack Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.
While James McDonald was forced to cover plenty of extra ground on the favourite Funstar, Tommy berry was able to extricate Wild Planet from a pocket to have last shot at the daughter of Adelaide(IRE) to win by a long-neck with Godolphin’s consistent Lonhro gelding Ranier a length back in third.
It was a career highlight for Hawkes Racing’s 5yo gelding who advances his record to 5 wins, 4 seconds and 2 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $615,900.
He has earned a chance in the Group 1 Epsom handicap according to co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
"He's in the Epsom and that's the way we're heading with him at this stage," Hawkes said.
"There was a little bit of deja vu there when he got locked up coming around the corner but you've got to give this horse credit, he really fights hard.
Purchased by Hawkes Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $280,000 out of the Arrowfield draft at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Wild Planet is a half-brother to Group 1 MRC Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth (Dundeel) out of the Redoute's Choice mare Salutations who is a daughter of Group II winner Toast Of The Coast (Rory's Jester).
Salutations has a yearling brother to Super Seth and was bred back to Dundeel again last spring.
