Promising three-year-old staying prospect Gold Wolf showed he could be a contender for the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) next month when he produced a strong finish to tip out fellow kiwi-bred galloper Antrim Coast in a thrilling conclusion to the Listed Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield.
The David and Coral Feek-prepared son of Tivaci has come along in leaps and bounds of late after breaking his maiden status over 1600m at Moe in December. His continued development was evident with a strong display when finishing second in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in February.
On this occasion rider Neil Farley had Gold Wolf settled and lobbing along nicely towards the rear of the field before commencing a move forward nearing the 600m.
Bustled along by Farley, Gold Wolf cut the corner before weaving between runners as he chased down Antrim Coast who had looked the winner when he took over at the 200m.
David Feek was quick to mention the heady ride by Farley as the large group of owners in the horse roared the house down as placings were confirmed.
“We took the blinkers off today and we got a huge result for his connections and our team at home who put so much work into this one and the other horses we have in our small team,” Feek said.
“Neil Farley gave him a peach of a ride and when he won his maiden at Moe, I told people we need a jockey like Neil as this is a very laid-back horse.
“We put the blinkers on at Sandown last time and he ran erratically so we took them off and got a huge result today.”
Feek is keen to lift his sights again with the horse, indicating a tilt at the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) in early May is a strong possibility, a race won in 2023 by another kiwi-bred in Dunkel.
“He went fantastic in the Tasmanian Derby and he just continues to learn and is thriving,” Feek said.
“The South Australian Derby is definitely an option but we will wait to see how he pulls up before making any decisions.”
Farley was also excited with the win, his first at stakes level.
“It’s my first black-type winner and I can’t believe it,” he said.
“This horse is a big work in progress but he is starting to get the hang of it now.
“It was a good strong win and it helped he had something to run down as he showed plenty of fight in doing that.”
Bred by Mary Chittick out of stakes placed Rock ‘N’ Pop mare Gold Spice, Gold Wolf was purchased for $80,000 by Emerald Bloodstock from Waikato Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2022 before being passed in later in the year at the National Ready To Run Sale.
Gold Wolf is from the third crop of Stud-based stallion Tivaci and becomes his fourth individual stakes winner. – NZ Racing Desk
