Talented colt State Of Wealth will be sent to Sydney to further test his Caulfield Guineas credentials following another impressive victory at Doomben.
State Of Wealth cruised to a 1-1/4-length win over Morning Captain in Saturday’s The Rohrig Group Handicap (1110m) and will now head to the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in two weeks.
Jockey Ric McMahon felt State Of Wealth’s winning margin could have been greater had it not been for a strong westerly headwind.
“The wind was really strong out there and as soon as it hit his face when he got to the front he wanted to pull up,” McMahon said.
“He’s got loads of ability but he doesn’t know what it’s all about yet.
“He’s still a colt and a bit of a cheeky bugger.”
Trainer Brian Smith has a big opinion of the son of American sire Ad Valorem, whose win took his record to two wins from three starts.
The three-year-old was ultra-impressive breaking through for his maiden victory at Eagle Farm last month and had no trouble stepping up to Saturday grade.
Smith believes State Of Wealth is still green and immature but will give him every opportunity to earn a trip to Melbourne for next month’s Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
“He travelled nicely and won well but he’s still only a baby,” Smith said.
“They put some pressure on him early but Ric did a good job holding him together.
“He’s doing everything we’ve asked of him so far and he’ll go down to Sydney for the Stan Fox next.
“That’s over 1500 metres and will tell us whether he’s up to the Caulfield Guineas.”
Meanwhile, Funtantes provided trainer Rob Heathcote with a two-state treble and earned a Melbourne trip following her narrow win in the Ormiston College Handicap (1200m).
The Heathcote-trained Buffering won the Group Three McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley before Woorim later claimed the Become A MVRC Member Handicap (1200m).
Funtantes bungled the start and was last early before producing a whirlwind finish to edge out Alberton Park by a neck for her sixth career win.
It was the final leg of a winning treble for jockey Jim Byrne who earlier scored aboard Mington in the BOQ Class 6 Handicap and Topping in the Ormiston College Old Collegian Handicap.
Glen Colless was suspended for seven meetings until September 23 after pleading guilty to a careless riding charge aboard The Barracks in the BOQ Handicap (1200m).
Stewards claimed Colless allowed The Barracks to shift in causing interference at the 800 metres.
AAP TURF
