Wolfgang’s campaign hinges on Talindert Stakes

Feature race options remain on the table for Wolfgang, but his performance up the straight at Flemington will determine which path he takes.

The Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained two-year-old is down to run in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.

That performance up the straight will determine whether he backs up into the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24 or is kept for the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 9.

Yeomans said Wolfgang was scratched from the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield last Saturday after drawing the widest gate.

“He drew 10 of 10 so we thought it was too big a task from there, but he’s a very well-travelled, well-seasoned two-year-old now,” Yeomans said.

“At his first start was up the straight we weren’t sure if he handled it and James Mcdonald got off him and said he needed a bend.

“But once he drew wide last Saturday, we thought let’s try him up the straight again and he’s much more experienced and seasoned now.

“Also, if were to win the Talindert, we’ve got the option of thinking about backing up into the Blue Diamond, but if he runs well and hits the line really strongly, then he might kick on to the Sires’ Produce which is also at Flemington.”

In his four starts to date, Cranbourne-trained Wolfgang has raced only once in Victoria but has been successful in Adelaide and Brisbane before finishing last in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast last month.

Yeomans said the colt had recovered from that run where he had muscle soreness and after a freshen up at Aquis Farm in the Gold Coast hinterland is back to his best.

“We thought something went amiss on Magic Millions Day,” Yeomans said.

“His action looked to visibly change around the 600 metres and then he pulled himself up.

“Aquis and us, we went right over him, thoroughly checked his heart and did all the test and all we could find was some muscle soreness.

“He did play up in the gates and got a leg up, so whether he wrenched himself and was feeling that in the run or whether he hit a shifty part of the track, we’re not sure.

“The horse is very sound and well, his work has been good, and travel doesn’t knock him around.”