Jason Collett already has a Spring Champion Stakes trophy courtesy of Montefilia, and he’s optimistic Wonka can deliver him another, provided the colt gets an economical run.
All of the nine contenders in Saturday’s renewal of the Group 1 will be stretching to 2000 metres for the first time, and the distance rise is Collett’s one query for his mount.
“I just want a soft run to give him his chance to see out the distance, which is a question mark,” Collett said.
“If he gets a soft enough run, he can see it out, and I think he’ll be strong late.
“He’s got a very good turn of foot, so if we can utilise that Saturday, that’s one of our advantages.”
Wonka has been given a solid foundation of fitness to see out the journey, with the Spring Champion set to be his sixth run of the campaign.
He collected the Dulcify Quality (1600m) two starts ago, and was a narrow second to Saturday’s rival Proxima Dea in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last start when he fought out the finish.
Collett has partnered Wonka in four of his six starts to date and has been impressed by the progress he’s made each time.
“He learned as he’s gone. He did a few things wrong early in the preparation when he’d want to go a bit keen. But with racing, he’s become more professional, and become more of a racehorse,” Collett said.
“He keeps taking the step up, and keeps performing, and drawn favourably on Saturday, he’s a good chance.”
Collett will also link with Waller in the Callander-Presnell (1600m) when he reunites with Central Europe for the first time since the horse’s juvenile season.
While the three-year-old remains a maiden after six starts, he drops significantly in grade on his past two efforts in the Golden Rose (1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (1600m) where he made late headway to finish fourth to Cox Plate fancy Warwoven.
“He was great in the Guineas. That was such a strong race, and he comes back up here to Sydney,” Collett said.
“A mile doesn’t look to be a problem, so he looks a good hope.”
