Wilde for more jumps success

Symon Wilde would love to win a feature Group 1 race, but the local trainer says it doesn’t get any better that winning a feature jumps race at the Warrnambool Three-Day Carnival.

Wilde won the feature jumps race, the Brierly Steeplechase on Tuesday, and has three entrants in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) on Thursday, Australia’s longest race.

Britannicus gave Wilde his first win in 2018 and followed up again last year while also running second on two occasions in between.

This year Wilde will be represented by American In Paris along with Vanguard who the trainer said had pulled-up well from his victory in the Brierly on Tuesday.

Britannicus, a gallant second on Tuesday, remains a 50-50 chance with Wilde saying he might be too brilliant for the 5500mf journey, while also not liking wet tracks.

“I love this carnival and I love jumps racing,” Wilde said.

“With Gold Medals, I thought all my dreams come true with that horse.

“People won’t believe me when they ask ‘what are your goals’, to win a Melbourne Cup or Group 1’s, but no I’d rather win Brierly’s or Annuals.

“Of course, we want to get to the Group 1 stage, but you can’t get more grass roots than this.

“It’s a purist sort of thing, great horses, great riders.”

Wilde said American In Paris was a similar type of jumper to Gold Medals and had been set for this year’s contest.

“He ran very well last season and he’s hardly missed a place over jumps, and I think he’s ready now to tackle a Grand Annual,” Wilde said.

“He’s not brilliant enough for the Brierly, but on a slow, wet track where they’re just plodding around, he could be a smokey.

“He relaxes well but doesn’t have the brilliance of Gold Medals, but he’s got a few of his attributes.”

Budd Fox is the $3 favourite for Thursday’s race ahead of Vanguard at $3.20 with TAB.

Britannicus is a $9 with American In Paris the Wilde outsider at $19.