Start Wondering
Race Images Palmerston North
Talented performer Start Wondering is in prime condition to resume his New Zealand career.
The Evan and J.J Rayner-trained six-year-old has impressed in his lead-up work for Saturday's Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa, where he is expected to excel with conditions to suit.
"He's really well and all we've been waiting for is a good track for him," Evan Rayner said.
Start Wondering began his career for Wanganui trainer Paul Belsham, who is Rayner's nephew, and he posted four wins and three placings from his first eight appearances.
He then transferred to Chris Waller's stable in Sydney where he added three further victories, all at Rosehill, before he suffered a bleeding attack and he returned home.
In the interim, Belsham had announced his retirement from training so the Steve Gudsell-owned Start Wondering joined the Rayner stable.
"He's had three jump-outs and a trial so he's ready, although it's a very good field," Rayner said.
"There is a race at the Rangitikei meeting a week later, but he'd be topweight. He's pretty right and he's had some pressure put on him and so far, so good."
Johnathan Parkes rode Start Wondering when he finished runner-up to the multiple Group One winner Kawi in a trial last month and he will head north to continue his association with the gelding.
Meanwhile, stablemate Flying Fred, also bred and raced by Gudsell, was an impressive winner on debut at Woodville and the Waverley meeting on November 13 has been pencilled in for his next appearance.
The three-year-old son of Fully Fledged's early strike came as no surprise to his connections.
"He goes alright and we'd been sitting on him for a while and waiting for the right track," Rayner said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Evan and J.J Rayner-trained six-year-old has impressed in his lead-up work for Saturday's Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa, where he is expected to excel with conditions to suit.
"He's really well and all we've been waiting for is a good track for him," Evan Rayner said.
Start Wondering began his career for Wanganui trainer Paul Belsham, who is Rayner's nephew, and he posted four wins and three placings from his first eight appearances.
He then transferred to Chris Waller's stable in Sydney where he added three further victories, all at Rosehill, before he suffered a bleeding attack and he returned home.
In the interim, Belsham had announced his retirement from training so the Steve Gudsell-owned Start Wondering joined the Rayner stable.
"He's had three jump-outs and a trial so he's ready, although it's a very good field," Rayner said.
"There is a race at the Rangitikei meeting a week later, but he'd be topweight. He's pretty right and he's had some pressure put on him and so far, so good."
Johnathan Parkes rode Start Wondering when he finished runner-up to the multiple Group One winner Kawi in a trial last month and he will head north to continue his association with the gelding.
Meanwhile, stablemate Flying Fred, also bred and raced by Gudsell, was an impressive winner on debut at Woodville and the Waverley meeting on November 13 has been pencilled in for his next appearance.
The three-year-old son of Fully Fledged's early strike came as no surprise to his connections.
"He goes alright and we'd been sitting on him for a while and waiting for the right track," Rayner said. – NZ Racing Desk.