Champion trainer Chris Waller had three Snitzel colts engaged in the $100,000 Super Maiden (1550m) at Randwick on Wednesday and they duly filled the trifecta, but importantly the one that was eligible to pick up the additional $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus was the one that saluted.
In three previous starts, Wonka had chased home the likes of exciting prospects St Gotthard and Sing Your Song, so was well placed for this assignment with Jason Collett to ride.
He enjoyed a good run in transit settling fourth and then powered home to win by a nearly a length over Unhinged and Cotoletta Cut with Dundeel colt True Tone finishing hard for fourth to give the Waller stable a first four.
Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth was on course and while delayed momentarily before his post race interview, he was thrilled for the stable to pick up the Inglis bonus.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, but I got distracted when someone started waving a hundred grand cheque… you stop don’t you,” quipped Duckworth.
“We trained his mum (Re Edit) and have liked him all the way through, but we had a question mark over whether he would retain his entirety unless he put his head in front soon, but I guess he’s earned himself a reprieve.”
Wonka was a $360,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Arrowfield and is a full brother to Group II winner Origin of Love being the second winner from two foals to race from Group II placed Camelot mare Re Edit.
Jason Collett has ridden Wonka in three of his four starts to date and believes there is more to come and he has already banked nearly $170,000 including his $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus today.
“He’s still learning and wants to climb in his action, so I wanted to be in a position today where I could get going before they did and was able to achieve that,” he said.
“He was still a bit lost out there in the middle of the track, so it was a good effort and like I said he is still learning.”
Arrowfield sold a filly by Maurice (Jpn) from Re Edit at Inglis Easter this year for $360,000 to Byerley Bloodstock and has a yearling colt to follow by the same sire.
