Having shown faith in Columbus by sticking with the horse despite a couple of defeats, champion jockey James McDonald has been rewarded with a midweek win at Randwick’s Kensington track.
A son of Dundeel, who McDonald rode to six Group 1 wins, Columbus ($2.30 fav) was being touted as a potential classic horse in the autumn before a setback ruled him out of the carnival.
Since returning with a first-up victory at Newcastle in July, the four-year-old hasn’t quite hit the heights expected, beaten in two subsequent runs as favourite.
And while his bounce back in Wednesday’s TAB Handicap (1800m) was only in midweek grade, McDonald said it was a step in the right direction for the entire, who is prepared by Hall of Fame trainer, Les Bridge.
“I still reckon he can go better than that,” McDonald said.
“He’s just doing enough at the moment. I’m sure Les will coach the best out of him. He’s in the right hands and he’ll go through the grades. He just needs a bit of confidence.
“He’s a lovely type, as you can see, but there is more to give.”
The Chris Waller stable also produced a winner they feel has more to offer in three-year-old Wonka ($4.20).
The Snitzel colt led home a first-four for the yard in the Inglis Xtra Bonus Handicap (1550m), downing Unhinged ($3.60 equal fav) by a length with Cotoletta Cut ($41) another short half-head away third, and True Tone making ground from last for fourth.
Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, said Wonka was going to be gelded if he didn’t perform, and while he’d earned a reprieve, he still had to improve his race craft.
Duckworth was also happy they pulled the right rein stepping him up in distance as there had been some debate after he finished in the minor placings at Warwick Farm last week.
“Jason (Collett) rode him seven days ago and he can be quite aggressive. He wasn’t convinced whether we actually brought him back in distance,” Duckworth said.
“But we thought stretching him out in distance might actually settle him down. He runs a little bit on fear, and if the slower tempo could allow him to see the distance out we thought that would be the path to go. It worked out well today, and he was strong through the line.”
Wonka holds nominations for the Golden Rose (1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (1600m) but Duckworth says the horse still has “some kinks in his armour” which need to be ironed out before he rises in grade.
