 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Wodeton produced a scintillating performance to surge clear of his rivals on debut at Rosehill, prompting Golden Slipper discussions after demolishing the field in the Chandon Handicap.
The Chris Waller-trained colt, partnered by James McDonald, displayed professional racing manners to overcome a wide passage and power away for a commanding four-length success.
Settling mid-division from barrier seven, McDonald exhibited patience as Pewter Pearl under Alysha Collett led the nine-runner field. Making smooth headway approaching the turn, Wodeton swept past rivals with minimum fuss to surge clear at the 200m mark.
The Magic Man claimed second for his connections, with Sanctified a further 3¾ lengths away in third under Tommy Berry.
Racing on a Soft 7 surface, Wodeton clocked 1.05.90 for the 1100m contest, including a sharp 34.14 final 600m sectional. The performance has installed him as favourite for the Gr.1 Golden Slipper, scheduled for March 22.
Stable representative Charlie Duckworth said: "James was concerned about the track purely because he has such a good action, and he was worried he might lose a bit of brilliance. I do not think he did.
"We were confident today, his demeanour before the race was amazing, he was like an old hand at the job. Obviously getting caught wide was not ideal on debut, it is not ideal on any day really. He just idled up and put them away with great ease.
"He is an incredibly exciting horse."
The start was delayed when Miss Fleetwood unseated Tom Sherry and led officials on a chase before being withdrawn.
McDonald, who heads to Hong Kong for Group One assignments before partnering Romantic Warrior in Dubai, said: "With these colts sometimes the first one is the hardest one and you just want it to go well and gain maturity at the end."
The Wotton Bassett colt, whose name derives from the original name of the UK town, earned US$105,000 for his connections, including Coolmore, Wynaus, and Westerberg. He is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Fiera Vista.