Sometimes it takes a bit longer to harness a talent. One such horse who has always demonstrated a huge amount of talent, but has taken a bit of knowing and figuring out is JHB purchase Wandjina, who broke through for his first stakes win this past weekend in the Group 3 C.S. Hayes Stakes at Flemington.
Wandjina was an exceptionally good-looking yearling when bought at the Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, and in training quickly showed that had the talent to go with his looks. He was out early, and an impressive winner at the first official 2YO trials at Royal Randwick. Despite doing plenty wrong, he went on as a 2YO to be an impressive winner of his maiden at Warwick Farm, and in the frame in two Slipper lead-ups, learning all the time.
During his 3YO Spring campaign we learned plenty about Wandjina. In the Caulfield Guineas Prelude he came from an impossible position, still 13th at the 400m pole to fly home for fourth, gaining rapid ground on a top-class field. It was a similar story in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas where he again stormed home, running the fastest final 1200m, 1000m, 800m, 600m and 400m of the race in the manner of a horse with a high-class future. He was then set the daunting task of a Cox Plate start against the best horses in Australia, and again emerged with a huge amount of credit. This time breaking well on terms with the field, he showed his speed once again, right on the pace in one of the fastest-run Cox Plates in history, the final time just outside Might and Power’s track record. Wandjina’s talent was again evident, making a bold move on the home turn and beaten just 3.5 lengths in an outstanding field.
After showing such strong form in Melbourne, it was decided to keep Wandjina down in Victoria and aim at the Gr.1 Australian Guineas for his Autumn campaign. Stage one of the plan was to take in the Gr.3 C.S Hayes Stakes and Wandjina very much came of age to break through at stakes level, battling strongly to fend off Disposition and Stratum Star. This time he was again up with the pace, but well rated by Damien Oliver and again came home in some high-class sectionals, now in the manner of a racehorse approaching the finished article.
Congratulations must go to Wandjina’s owners, Edmund and Belinda Bateman who have shown great faith and patience in this colt, to trainer Gai Waterhouse who had him ready to go for this first-up assignment and also to jockey Damien Oliver who has got to know Wandjina very well this preparation and given great insight into getting the very best out of him. His win on Saturday was the latest step along this path.