Rarely a winner, but often in contention, the Chris Waller trained Pierro gelding Wheelhouse finally got his timing right at the Gold Coast on Saturday, charging home with a well-timed run under Larry Cassidy to claim an overdue victory in the $250,000 TAB Wave (1800m).
Stakes-placed at two and fourth in the Group I ATC Randwick Guineas at three, Wheelhouse has always had a touch of class, but wins have proven elusive.
That changed on Saturday when he powered home late to score a head win taking his overall record to two wins and five seconds from 14 starts with prizemoney in excess of $347,000.
“I was told to ride him conservatively. I went back and watched his replays, and in his win he came from a far way back off a hot speed,” Cassidy said.
“The speed was good enough, and he hit the line strongly.”
Wheelhouse was a $600,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Coolmore draft for Jadeskye Racing/Brad Widdup Racing.
Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Wheelhouse was the most expensive colt sired by Pierro to sell in 2019.
He is the first foal of Group II placed Fastnet Rock mare Sailing By, a daughter of Group II placed Galileo mare Amory Lane from the family of stakes-winner Planet Ruler.
Sailing By was covered again last spring by Pierro, who has 20 yearlings catalogued for the Magic Millions and 13 at the Inglis Classic.
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