Chris Waller is reluctant to spruik Start Wondering just yet but that may change if the former New Zealander can make it three from three for his new stable.
The five-year-old lines up in Saturday’s McGrath Estate Agents Hcp (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday as the short-priced favourite.
Sydney’s premier trainer believes Start Wondering can measure up to better races but is taking it one step at a time.
“He’s got a winning strike rate but at the moment it’s all about getting his prize money up,” Waller said.
“He came to Australia with less than $50,000 from four wins and now he’s up to $140,000.
“We just want to keep him winning at this level before we think too much about the bigger races.”
Start Wondering will be ridden by James McDonald who will have to get him into position from barrier 11.
The gelding is by moderately performed but impeccably bred stallion Eighth Wonder who is by Zabeel out of Diamond Lover.
Start Wondering has won six of his 10 starts, three over 1600m.
Waller is also beginning to bring out his two-year-olds with Alpha Son to make his debut at Rosehill over 1100m.
The colt has had one barrier trial, running second to the talented Extreme Choice from the Mick Price stable.
Extreme Choice then won the $500,000 Inglis Nursery to put himself in the frame for the Blue Diamond Stakes.
“We are just starting to get some of the young ones up and running,” Waller said.
“We will have a few more over the next few weeks.
“Alpha Son is a nice colt and we have given him time like we do with all our two-year-olds.”
To be ridden by Blake Shinn, Alpha Son is at $14 in early markets which are headed by the Gai Waterhouse-trained Scarlet Rain.
